Jean-Baptiste Arban (1825-1889) Biography

The French musicologist Fétis writes in « Biographie universelle des musiciens » (Paris, 1881):

« ... Arban very soon became renowned for his brilliant and easy way of playing and especially for his triple tonguing. When Musard jr. began his series of concerts at the Boulevard des Capucines in 1856, Arban was already quite famous; and when shortly afterwards an orchestra for popular music was founded at the Cadet Casino, it was Arban who became its conductor. Thus he began to make a name for himself as a conductor, leading the different orchestras of the Casino, of Valentino, of Frascati and, when Strauss retired, even of the Opera, until the hall burned down... » (summary.)

Although his fame had spread well across the French borders, Arban was in 1868 still merely « in charge of the saxhorn class for military pupils ». In May of the same year however he travelled to Madrid « ... to make himself heard », and when he came back he decided to make the Great Attempt to become professor at the Conservatoire. He was over 40 years old now and at the height of his career and his fame; he should wait no longer. The worthy and obstinate Auber, who for many years had detained the creation of a special class for cornet à pistons, was 86 years old and still director though. Arban, half that age, went to see him once again, and this time he was able to convince the old master with his arguments:

— All right then! Write it all down meticulously and I'll transmit your request to the authorities.
— Thank you, Master! Thank you very much indeed!