Widerkehr (also Wiederkehr or Vider-kehr), Jacques (-Christian-Michel)
Widerkehr (also Wiederkehr or Vider-kehr), Jacques (-Christian-Michel)
Widerkehr (also Wiederkehr or Vider-kehr), Jacques (-Christian-Michel), lsatian composer and cellist; b. Strasbourg, April 18, 1759; d. Paris, April 1823. He studied with E X. Richter and Dumonchau in Strasbourg, then in about 1783 settled in Paris, where he was active as a cellist. He became well known as a composer of symphonies concertantes for wind instruments. He also wrote an opera, Oreste, Revolutionary hymns, and much chamber music, including 2 sonatas for Piano with Violin and Bass Accompaniment, 6 Duo concertants for 2 Violins or Cellos (Paris, c. 1794), 3 quatuors concertants for String Quartet (Paris, 1797), 3 quatuors (Paris, c. 1803), 1er quintetto for 2 Violins, 2 Violas, and Cello (Paris, c. 1808), 3 duos for Piano and Violin or Oboe or Clarinet (Paris, c. 1817), 4 quatuors (Paris, c. 1819), and 3 trios for Flute, Horn, and Bassoon (Paris, c. 1820). He has often been confused with the trombonist, teacher, and composer Philippe Widerkehr, who was active in Paris (1793-1816) and who may have been his brother.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire