Joseph Jean Baptist Laurent Arban (28 February 1825 – 9 April 1889) was a cornetist, conductor, pedagogue and the first famed virtuoso of the cornet à piston or valved cornet.

He was influenced by Niccolò Paganini’s virtuosic technique on the violin and in an (arguably successful) attempt to “prove” the cornet as a true solo instrument, developed extreme virtuosic technique on the instrument.

Born in Lyon, France, he studied trumpet with Francois Dauverné at the Paris Conservatoire from 1841 to 1845. He was appointed professor of saxhorn at the École Militaire in 1857, and became professor of cornet at the Paris Conservatoire in 1869, where Merri Franquin was among his students. He published his Grande méthode complète pour cornet à pistons et de saxhorn in Paris in 1864. This method, which is often referred to as the “Trumpeter’s Bible,” is still studied by modern brass players. His variations on The Carnival of Venice remains one of the great showpieces for cornet soloists today.

Wynton Marsalis recording “Abblasen” for CBS Sunday Morning – Wynton Marsalis Official Website. C4-C6 or Trumpet Scoring: C4-C6 or Trumpet Pages: Laster, the author lists this. Become a Member Today! Reiche was promoted to Senior Stadtpfeifer in When the trumpeter Johann C. There are no reviews written for Abblasen Fanfare in C. Transcription by James Mahone. Includes Wynton Marsalis’ score. MP3 file is available. Branford Marsalis: Citadel: Reinassance: Soprano: Soufflant EJMA: Transcription by Charles Schneider. Branford Marsalis: I Was Brought To My Senses: Mercury Falling (Sting) Soprano: clmbrdude: MP3 file, Eb and C (concert key) versions are available.

Arban apparently made a phonograph cylinder recording for the Edison Company shortly before his death. In a newspaper from Finland, Helsinki’s Hufvudstadsbladet, (no. 96, from 11.4.1890, page 2), Arban’s recording is mentioned:

Among the phonograms a particular one must be mentioned: solo on cornet a piston, played by the famous French virtuoso monsieur Arban called “Fanfare d’Edison;”

Arban died in Paris on April 9, 1889.

Info

Wynton Marsalis Biography

Solo transcriptions

Free Sheet Music

Arban – Fantaisie and Variations no.1 (var III) in all keys

Arban – Fantaisie Brillante No.3 (var III) in all keys

Arban – Variations Sur La Tyrolienne No.4 (adapted for tonguing)

Arban – Variations on a song No.5 (adapted for tonguing)

Arban – Air Varié No.7

Arban – Fantaisie and Variations no.9 (var III) in all keys

Arban – Variations on a favorite theme by Weber No.10

Arban – Variations on “Casta Diva” No.12 (adapted for tonguing)

Characteristic Studies

in 3 keys:

Al Hirt’s live performance of Carnival of Venice

A playalong of “Carnival of Venice” as played by Harry James in 1941:

Wynton Marsalis Wife