Jean-Baptiste Arban (1825-1889) Biography

Summary: Jean-Baptiste Arban, having achieved fame as a virtuoso of the cornet à pistons, as a director and an «arranger» of music, has now (1869) realized his ultimate ambition: he has been nominated professor at the Paris Conservatoire. Alas, his joy was short-lived. His frequent concert tours in foreign countries obliged him continually to ask for leave, which was given grudgingly. In 1873 finally the Minister granted him a last one, making it very clear that no more would follow ...

For an entire year Arban must have meditated on the action to take. Finally on April 10, 1874, fully aware of the risks involved, he writes the following letter to Ambroise Thomas, director of the Conservatoire: