Jean-Baptiste Arban

Jean-Baptiste Arban (1825–1889) was a cornetist, conductor, composer, 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 successfully proved that the cornet was a true solo instrument by developing virtuoso technique on the instrument. Arban was born in Lyon, and studied trumpet with François Dauverné at the Paris Conservatoire from 1841 to 1845. After graduating with honors, he began to master the cornet. He was appointed professor at the École Militaire in 1857, and became professor of cornet at the Conservatoire in 1869. In 1864, he published his influential Grande méthode complète pour cornet à pistons et de saxhorn. His book is often referred to as the "Trumpeter's Bible". It is still studied by modern brass players. His variations on The Carnival of Venice remains one of the great showpieces for cornet soloists today. "Fantasie Brilliante" also continues to be frequently performed and recorded.