Lavignac, Alexandra Jean Albert

1846-

Pianist; born in Paris. Studied at the Conservatory, where he won the first prize for solfeggio in 1857, the first prize for piano in 1861 and the first prize for harmony and composition in 1863. He won the first prize for counterpoint and fugue in 1864 and the second prize for organ the next year. In 1882 he was appointed professor of solfeggio and in 1891 professor of harmony, and he is now dean of the faculty. His writings of educational value are Solfeges, in six volumes; a Cours complet theorique de dictee musicale, a work on musical dictation; Cinquante lemons d'harmonie; L'ficole de la Pedale, for pianists; piano-pieces for four hands; ten preludes; many piano solos; and pieces for other instruments.

His contributions to musical literature are widely known; in 1895 appeared La Musique et les Musiciens, followed two years later by Le Voyage artistique a Bayreuth, which was translated into English by Esther Singleton, and published in London in 1898 under the title, The Music Drama of Richard Wagner. This work is undoubtedly the best of the many handbooks to Wagner's works. His latest publication is Musical Education, which has also been translated by Esther Singleton. It is a valuable treatise upon how and when to teach music to the child.