Janson, Jean-Baptiste-Aimé Joseph (”l’aîné”)
Janson, Jean-Baptiste-Aimé Joseph (”l’aîné”)
Janson, Jean-Baptiste-Aimé Joseph (”l’aîné”), French cellist, teacher, and composer; b. Valenciennes, c. 1742; d. Paris, Sept. 2, 1803. He first appeared at the Paris Concert Spirituel when he was 13. Following studies with Berteau, he continued to appear at the Concert Spirituel until 1767, often performing his own works. He also was in the service of the Prince of Conti and the Duke of Braunschweig, and made concert tours throughout Europe. In 1788 he was named surintendant de musique de Monsieur (i.e., to the brother of the King, later Louis XVIII). In 1795 he became a prof, of cello at the new Paris Cons. His output included three syms., nine cello concertos, and chamber pieces. His brother, Louis-Auguste-Joseph Janson (”le jeune”) (b. Valenciennes, July 8, 1749; d. Paris, c. 1815), was also a cellist and composer. He was active in Paris, where he appeared at the Concert Spirituel (1773–80) and later was a cellist in the Opéra orch. (1789–1815).
—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire