Lefevre, Jean Xavier
1763-1829
Born at Lausanne, Switzerland. He was a virtuoso on the clarinet and studied in Paris under Michel Yost. He joined the band of the guards, and in 1787 began to play in concerts. He was a member of the Opera Orchestra from 1791 to 1817 and a professor on the clarinet at the Conservatory from 1795 to 1825. In 1807 he became a member of the Imperial Chapel, and, after the restoration, of the Royal Chapel. He improved his instrument by the addition of a sixth key and wrote the official clarinet Methode of the Conservatory. He composed concertos, concertantes, duets, sonatas, etc., for the clarinet. He died in Paris.