Jacques Widerkehr

Jacques Christian Michel Widerkehr l'aîné was a French composer and cellist from Alsace during the classical [music era|classical] era.

Career

Widerkehr was born in Strasbourg, and studied with Franz [Xaver Richter], music director of the cathedral, and with a local cellist called Dumonchau. From 1783, he was active as a cellist in Paris, performing with the Concert Spirituel and the orchestra of the Concert [de la Loge Olympique|Loge Olympique]. His main activity, however, appears to have been teaching and composing.
From the 1790s, instrumental works of his composition appeared regularly with French publishers including, besides chamber music, many orchestral works, notably so-called "Symphonies concertantes". These were performed by the most prominent musicians of the time and in the most important Parisian concert halls including the Opéra, the Théâtre Feydeau, and the Concerts de la rue de Cléry.
His musical style is characterized by "a brilliant, even virtuoso and very melodic style of writing" and a "pronounced sense for orchestral colours and timbres".
Widerkehr died in Paris. His younger brother Philippe was a trombonist and member of the National Guard, later also a teacher at the Paris Conservatory.