Mazas, Jacques Fereol

1782-1849

Violin virtuoso and composer; born at Beziers. In 1802 he began three years of study at the Paris Conservatory under Baillot and won the first violin prize. His performance of a violin concerto written for him by Auber was very successful. He then became a member of the orchestra of an Italian Opera Company, and from 1811 to 1829 traveled through Spain, Russia, Belgium, Germany and Italy. After his return to Paris he was, for a while, first violin at the Palais Royal. From 1837 to 1841 he was director of a music school at Cambrai. As a violinist his tone was very brilliant and melodious. He wrote a method for the violin and a method for viola, beside many concertos, trios, string quartets, fantasias, variations, romances and violin duets.