Boutmy

Boutmy, family of South Netherlands musicians:

(1) Jacques-Adrien Boutmy, organist; b. Ghent, Jan. 16, 1683; d. Brussels, Sept. 6, 1719. He was organist at St. Nicholas in Ghent, and then at the collegiate church of SS. Michel et Gudule in Brussels from 1711.

(2) Josse (actually, Charles Joseph) Boutmy, organist, harpsichordist, and composer, brother of the preceding; b. Ghent, Feb. 1, 1697; d. Brussels, Nov. 27, 1779. He was active in Brussels, where he became a citizen in 1729. In 1736 he entered the service of the Prince of Thurn and Taxis. From 1744 to 1777 he was organist at the court chapel, where he also taught. He was married twice and had 16 children, 3 of whom are listed below. Boutmy became best known as a composer of harpsichord music and publ. the vols. Première livre de pièces (Paris, 1738), Second livre de pièces (Paris, c. 1742), and Troisième livre de pièces (Brussels, c. 1750). Portions of the first and third vols, were ed. in Monumenta Musicae Belgicae, V (1943).

(3) Guillaume Boutmy, organist, harpsichordist, organ builder, and composer; b. Brussels, June 15, 1723; d. there, Jan. 22, 1791. He pursued his career in Brussels, where he was in the service of the Prince of Thurn and Taxis. In 1752 he became a postal official. From 1760 to 1776 he taught organ and harpsichord at the court, and also was active as an organ builder. He publ. 6 harpsichord sonatas.

(4) Jean-Joseph Boutmy, organist, harpsichordist, and composer; b. Brussels, April 29, 1725; d. Kleve, 1782. He went to Ghent as a harpsichord teacher, and then was organist at St. Baaf Cathedral there (1757–59). He later was organist to the Portuguese ambassador in The Hague. Among his works are 6 harpsichord concertos and 6 divertissements for Harpsichord and Violin Accompaniment ad libitum. He also publ. Traité abrégé de la basse continue (The Hague, c. 1760).

(5) Laurent-François Boutmy, organist, harpsichordist, pianist, and composer; b. Brussels, June 19, 1756; d. there, Nov. 3, 1838. He studied with his father. After a sojourn in Rotterdam (1779–83), he was again in Brussels. In 1789 he went to Ermonenville, France, but Revolution forced him to go to London in 1793, where he was active as a harpsichord and piano teacher. He later was piano teacher to Princess Marianne in the Netherlands. He wrote the opera Armide, ou Les statues and various keyboard pieces.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire