Alfred Quidant

Pierre Robert Joseph (Alfred) Quidant (7 December 1815 – 9 October 1893) was a French pianist, composer and music teacher.

Portrait of Alfred Quidant

Biography

Born in Lyon, the son of a merchant of musical instruments, he began studying music and piano in his hometown. In 1831, he went to study at the Conservatoire de Paris,^[1] but interrupted his studies to work for Sébastien Érard as piano demonstrator, a job that he held for more than thirty years.^[1]

Quidant wrote mainly salon music, which became popular during his time. His pupils include Conrad Ansorge, Arthur de Greef, and Emil von Sauer.^[2]

He died in Paris.^[3]

Quidant had a son named R. Alfred Quidant (1856–1933).^[4]

Selected works

• La Fête au village, grande valse
• Fantaisie, en forme de valse chromatique
• Cantique, ou Fantaisie de Salon, Op. 13
• Mazeppa, grande étude-galop, Op. 21
• Grande étude-valse, Op. 29
• La Marche de l'Univers, fantaisie, Op. 34
• L'Horloge à musique, caprice, Op. 35^[5]