Guy Touvron

Guy Touvron is undeniably one of the most gifted of young French trumpet players. A clear and direct sound production gives him that ease of articulation which great players have and which gives their musical expression that appearance of facility which does so much to put the listener at ease. His superb technique enables him to tackle all the major works in the repertoire and to reveal his personality in playing them. He has already had a magnificent start to his career and his fame could be even greater if he chose to play the big star — a temptation to which, fortunately, he has not succumbed. Open, unyielding in his beliefs, he says what he thinks, amuses himself and laughs “like a student” — a phrase which may seem pejorative to some people but which is to others a sign of constant reaffirmation by a musician who does not take himself too seriously.

His pupils will tell you: apart from his experience and talent, to which they owe their progress, he is one of them. This is an ideal level for communication. Guy Touvron, a poet of the trumpet, uses musical elegance and the mischievousness of a charming Frenchman. He is a man who has managed to retain the enthusiasm of his youth.

Guy was born on 15th February 1950 in Vichy. His parents were not musicians but his grandfather had been a cornet player (changing to alto horn when he lost his teeth) and may well have given some ideas to young Guy who used to run alongside the musicians when the St. Yorre band marched past. He liked their white uniform jackets and was fascinated by “the noise it made”, as he recalls.

Grampa pressed on with what he had started: he enrolled Guy in the music theory classes given by the bandmaster, Mr. Vincent. The experiment was conclusive and it was intended that he should play the transverse flute. Guy had spotted one member of the band who stood out from the others and who played the cornet. He made himself known to him as his ambition took shape.

– I would rather play the cornet.
– We don’t have any, came the answer.
– I’ll go away, then...