Jean-Xavier Lefèvre

Full biography Jean-Xavier Lefèvre

Jean-Xavier Lefèvre (1763-1829) was a Swiss-born French clarinetist and composer. He began playing the clarinet at a young age and quickly gained recognition for his talent. In 1778, at the age of 15, Lefèvre became a member of the French Royal Academy of Music. He went on to serve as a clarinetist for the royal court and performed in many concerts throughout France.

In addition to his career as a performer, Lefèvre was also a prolific composer, particularly for the clarinet. He wrote seven clarinet concertos, nine clarinet quartets, and several sonatas and other works for the instrument. He also wrote a clarinet method, which was published in 1802.

Lefèvre's music is known for its virtuosic and technical demands, showcasing the capabilities of the clarinet. His writing for the instrument is also noted for its expressive and lyrical qualities.

Despite his success as a musician and composer, Lefèvre's music fell out of favor in the 19th century and much of it was forgotten. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in his music, and many of his works have been rediscovered and performed.

In summary, Jean-Xavier Lefèvre was a prominent clarinetist and composer in 18th century France, known for his technical and expressive writing for the clarinet. Although his music fell out of favor for some time, it has been rediscovered and appreciated in modern times.