A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gando, Nicolas

by Mary Catherine Hamilton

GANDO, Nicolas, type founder, born at Geneva early in the 18th century, resided first in Berne and then in Paris, where he established a foundry for a new musical type. His son, Pierre François, born at Geneva 1733, was his assistant and successor. They published ' Observations sur le traité historique et critique de M. Fournier, etc.' (Paris 1766), with the view of showing that Ballard's process was an imitation of Breitkopf's. It contained, amongst others, specimens of 6 pieces of ancient music printed by Ballard, and a Psalm by Roussier in Gando's own characters, and printed by his process, the notes and the lines requiring a separate impression, and the effect resembling copper plate. Fournier replied (see his 'Manuel typographique,' pp. 289–306), criticising the Gandos and their type, which was however superior to his own, though inferior to those of Breitkopf in their own day, and still more to those of Duverger and others since. The father died in 1767, the son in 1800, both in Paris.

[ M. C. C. ]