A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Guignon, Jean-Pierre

GUIGNON, Jean-Pierre, the last man who bore the title of 'Roi des violons.' Born at Turin in 1702, he was still very young when he went to Paris and began to study the violoncello, which however he soon exchanged for the violin. He is said to have excelled by a fine tone and great facility of bowing, and to have been a formidable rival of Leclair. In 1733 he entered the King's service, was appointed musical instructor of the Dauphin, and obtained the revival in his favour of the antique title of 'Roi des violons et ménétriers.' He further endeavoured to revive certain obsolete regulations by which all professional musicians in France were compelled to become members of the guild of minstrels (confrérie des ménétriers) on payment of a fee to him. This however raised universal opposition; and the case was brought before the Parlement, and decided against him. On this Guignon dropped his unprofitable title and retired from public life. He published several books of Concertos, Sonatas, and Duos.

[ P. D. ]