Olivier Aubert


Pierre François Olivier Aubert was a French cellist, guitarist and composer. He mostly abbreviated his name as "P. F. Olivier Aubert".

Biography

Aubert was born in Amiens. After having received initial musical training in his home town, he studied the cello autodidactically. In 1787 he is first mentioned as a cello teacher in Paris. He played in various musical theatres and opera houses and was a member of the orchestra of the Opéra-Comique for 25 years. After having heard Ferdinando Carulli perform in Paris in 1808, he also turned to the guitar; it is not known whether he had any formal tuition on this instrument.
His chief merit is having published two good instruction books for the cello at a time when works of that kind were rare and much needed. Besides solo music for his two instruments, he wrote also chamber music including string quartets. In a pamphlet entitled Histoire abrégée de la musique ancienne et moderne he expressed his opinion about several writings on ancient and modern music.
Aubert frequently published his compositions himself. He died in Paris aged around 67.

Works

Chamber music
  • 3 String Quartets, Op. 1
  • 3 String Quartets, Op. 2
  • 3 String Quartets, Op. 4 Duos No. 1 and No. 2, for guitar and piano Deux duos, for violin and guitar
Cello music, solos and duosTrois duos pour deux violons ou deux violoncelles, Op. 3 ; at Gallica
  • 3 duos for 2 cellos, Op. 5Trois duo, Op. 6 ; at GallicaTrois duo concertans, Op. 7 ; at GallicaÉtudes pour le violoncelle, suivies de trois duos et de trois sonates, Op. 8 Methode, ou Nouvelles études pour le violoncelle, Op. 9 Trois duos faciles suite à la Méthode, Op. 11Trois duos dialogués et concertants, Op. 12Les Marchandes de plaisir d'artichauds, de pommes de terres et de gateaux de Nanterre: Quatre duos sur différents cris de Paris, Op. 13
  • Sonatines, Op. 14 ; Op. 19 ; Op. 32 ; Op. 36 Trois duetti, Op. 30
  • Rondo for solo cello
Guitar music, solos and duosPotpourri facile Premier potpourri 2ème potpourri 4ème potpourri 5ème potpourri Trois petits duos, Op. 15 Trois Duetti, Op. 34 Méthode de guitare à 5 et 6 cordes
SongsLe Chien de l'aveugle, for voice and guitar Ce qui captive les hommes, "petit air", for voice and guitar ; at Gallica
Arrangements of music by other composersQuatuor, arrangé en duo pour guitare et violon
BookHistoire abrégée de la musique ancienne et moderne, ou Réflexions sur ce qu'il y a de plus probable dans les écrits qui ont traité ce sujet.