A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Vidal
VIDAL, a name borne in the past and present by several French musicians and writers on music. The earliest, B. Vidal, whose initial only is known, died in Paris in 1800. He was a talented guitar-player and teacher during the last quarter of the 18th century, and published sonatas, short pieces, and a method for his instrument.
Jean Joseph, born at Soreze, 1789, a clever violinist formed in Kreutzer's school, took the second Grand Prix for composition in 1809, was for 20 years in Baillot's quartet-party, conducted the orchestra of the Théâtre Italien from 1829 to 1832, played first violin in Louis Philippe's band, and was a valued teacher. He died in Paris, June 4, 1867.
Louis Antoine, born at Rouen July 10, 1820, an amateur cello-player, a friend of Vuillaume, the musical instrument maker, and an accomplished linguist, has lately made some mark as a writer on music by his beautiful work on bowed instruments, 'Les Instruments à archet,' in three 4to. volumes, with etchings by Hillemacher. Vol. i. (1876) treats of musical instrument making and makers; vol. ii. (1877) of players, especially the virtuosi of the bow; and vol. iii. (1878) of music-printing, with biographies of chamber-musicians, and a catalogue of works for instruments played with the bow. M. Vidal has been for the last few years occupied with preparations for a similar history of pianoforte-making.
François, Provençal poet, born at Aix, July 14, 1832, is the author of 'Lou Tambourin,' an interesting work on the Tambourine of Provence, and the Galoubet, or pipe. It is in the Provençal dialect, with a French translation.
Paul Antonin, born at Toulouse, June 16, 1863, passed brilliantly through the Paris Conservatoire, and took successively the first Harmony prize in 1879, the first prize for Fugue in 1881, and the Grand Prix de Rome in 1883. A talented pianist, an excellent reader and accompanyist, Paul Vidal's technical knowledge seems already complete, and his cantata 'Le Gladiateur' is instrumented in masterly style. We hope great things from this young composer.