A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Planté, François

PLANTÉ, François, born at Orthez in the Basses Pyrenees, March 2, 1839, appeared in Paris at a very early age as an infant prodigy, playing the piano with much success. In Dec. 1849 he entered Marmontel's class at the Conservatoire, and in the following year carried off the first prize. He was then before the public again as a performer, for some three years, during which time he played frequently at the chamber concerts given by Alard and Franchomme; in 1853 he returned to the Conservatoire to study harmony under Bazin. Here he obtained a second prize in 1855. It must be regarded as a fortunate circumstance that, at a party at which he was playing, the audience persisted in talking to an extent that highly offended Planté; whereupon he retired in great wrath to the Pyrenees, where he remained for nearly ten years, becoming familiar with the compositions of all schools, and counteracting the evils which necessarily accompany such a career as his had hitherto been. He did not reappear in Paris until 1872, when he devoted himself to playing on behalf of various charitable objects. A series of concerts given with Alard and Franchomme established his position, and thenceforth he has held a distinguished place among French pianists. He has undertaken many successful concert-tours on the Continent, and appeared in England in 1878. His playing is characterized by repose, maturity of style, and rare intelligence. He is Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur. (Pougin's supplement to Fétis.)

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