A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Grasset, Jean-Jacques

GRASSET, Jean-Jacques, a distinguished violin-player, born at Paris about 1769. He was a pupil of Berthaume, and is reported to have excelled by a clear, though not powerful tone, correct intonation and technique. After having been obliged to serve in the army for several years—which he appears to have spent not without profit for his art in Germany and Italy—he returned to Paris and soon gained a prominent position there. On the death of Gaviniés in 1800 he was appointed professor of the violin at the Conservatoire, after a highly successful competition with a number of eminent performers. Soon afterwards he succeeded Bruni as 'chef d'orchestre' at the Italian Opera, which post he filled with eminent success till 1829, when he retired from public life. He published three Concertos for the Violin, five books of Violin-Duos, and a Sonata for Piano and Violin, which are not without merit. He died at Paris in 1839.

[ P. D. ]