Ogust Frankomm French cellist. Country: France

Biography of Auguste-Joseph Franchomme

Auguste-Joseph Franchomme, also known as Auguste-Joseph Franchomme (born April 10, 1808, in Lille – died January 21, 1884, in Paris), was a French cellist and composer. He studied at the Paris Conservatory under Jean-Henri Levasseur and Louis Pierre Norblin. In 1828, he was among the musicians of the first section of the Concert Society Orchestra of the Paris Conservatory. He also frequently performed with Jean Delphin Alard, and their musical evenings attracted the cream of Parisian society. The piano part in the trio formed by Franchomme and Alard was played by either Charles-Valentin Alkan, Francis Planté, or Frédéric Chopin, with whom Franchomme maintained a close friendship. Their collaboration resulted in the Grand Concert Duo for Cello and Piano (based on themes from Meyerbeer's opera "Robert le diable"), and experts believe that Franchomme made a significant contribution to Chopin's Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 65, which is dedicated to him. Franchomme was a pallbearer at Chopin's funeral. Among Franchomme's compositions, the majority are naturally dedicated to the cello, including the Twelve Caprices, Op. 7, and the Twelve Etudes, Op. 35, both of which are still highly regarded today. He also composed a cello concerto, variations on themes from popular operas (including Bellini's "Norma," Rossini's "Semiramide," and Mozart's "Don Giovanni"), as well as variations on folk songs from Spain, Scotland, Tyrol, and other regions. In 1846, he became a professor at the Paris Conservatory, and his notable students included Leôncie-Hediard, Jules Delsart, Ernest Gillet, and Hippolyte Rabo (father of Henri Rabaud).