Artot, Alexandre Joseph Montagney

1815-1845

A distinguished Belgian violinist. Most noted of a large family of musicians. Studied first with his father, who was a violinist as well as a bandmaster and conductor. Studied later in Brussels and at the Paris Conservatory, where he won prizes two years in succession. After leaving the Conservatory he made successful tours through nearly all the European countries and in 1843 through the United States and Cuba. At this time he showed symptoms of lung trouble and. returned to France, where he remained, until his death in 1845. Artot wrote a considerable number of compositions for the violin, including a concerto; fantasies; rondeaus, etc., and also some string  quartets, but was greater as a violinist than as a composer.