A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Vilback, Alphonse

VILBACK,^[1] Alphonse Charles Renaud de, born June 3, 1829, at Montpellier. He entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1842, and in 1844 took the first organ-prize, and the Prix de Rome at the same time as Victor Massé. The favourite pupil of Halévy, and remarkably industrious, he first became known as a composer of pianoforte pieces, more brilliant than original, but, like all young prize-winners on their return from Italy, he aspired to the stage. It was not however, till Sept. 4, 1857, that he produced his first work, 'Au clair de la Lune,' a pretty operetta in one act ('Bouffes Parisiens'), followed closely by his last 'Don Almanzor' (Theatre Lyrique, April 16, 1858). He found his true vocation as organist of Saint Eugène (1855 to 1871), where he rivalled Lefébure-Wély in improvisation, and equalled him in execution. Unfortunately he became a mere music-publisher's hack, and amateur pianists are familiar with his mosaïques, fantaisies, etc., for two and four hands, with such titles as 'Beautés de l'Opéra,' etc. This journey-work did not even pay, and it was in something like poverty that he died at Brussels, March 19, 1884. So brilliant and agreeable a talker deserved a better fate. He became nearly blind, but to the last retained his charming manner and his ability as a musician. The library of the Conservatoire contains the MSS. of his cantata 'Le Renégat de Tangier' and a 'Messe Solennelle' (Aug. 1847). He has also left printed scores of several orchestral works, 'Pompadour gavotte,' 'Chanson Cypriote,' 'Marche Serbe,' etc.

[ G. C. ]

1. This is probably the French spelling of the German name Wilbach. Mendelssohn, writing to his sister (Nov. 16, 1830), speaks of ordering a set of studs from Paris 'à la Back.'