A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Taudou, Antoine

TAUDOU, Antoine, composer of the modern French school, born at Perpignan, Aug. 24, 1846, early evinced such aptitude for music that he was sent to Paris and entered at the Conservatoire, where he carried off successively the first prizes for solfeggio, violin (1866), harmony (67), fugue (68), and finally, after two years' study of composition with Reber, the Grand Prix de Rome (69). The subject of the cantata was 'Francesca da Rimini,' and the prize score was distinguished for purity and elegance.

So far, no work of M. Taudou's has been produced on the stage, but his chamber-music and orchestral pieces have been well received. These include a trio for flute, alto, and cello; another for PF., violin, and cello; a violin-concerto played at the Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, of which M. Taudou is one of the best violinists; a string-quartet in B minor, often heard in Paris; and for orchestra a 'Marche-Ballet,' a 'Chant d'automne,' and a 'Marche-Nocturne.' He has published songs and pieces for PF., but a cantata written for the inauguration of a statue to Arago (1879) at Perpignan, is still in MS. In January 1883 he was chosen professor of harmony and accompaniment at the Conservatoire.

[ G. C. ]