A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Urhan, Chrétien
URHAN, Chrétien, born Feb. 16, 1790, at Montjoie, near Aix-la-Chapelle, was the son of a violinist. He early showed great taste for music, and while still untaught began to compose for his two favourite instruments, the violin and piano. The Empress Josephine happening to hear him at Aix-la-Chapelle, was so struck with his precocious talent that she brought him to Paris, and specially recommended him to Lesueur. The composer of 'Les Bardes' was then at the height of his popularity both with the public and the Court, and his countenance was of as much service to Urhan as his lessons in composition. Urhau entered the orchestra of the Opéra in 1816, was promoted first to a place among the first violins, and finally, on Baillot's retirement (1831), to that of first violin-solo. As a concert-player he made his mark as one of the foremost violinists of the day with Mayseder's brilliant compositions, which he was the first to introduce in Paris. He was frequently heard at the Concerts du Conservatoire, of which he was one of the originators, and where his performances on the viola and the viol d'amour excited great attention. He also contributed to the success of the memorable evenings for chamber-music founded by Baillot, and of Fétis's Concerts historiques. Urhan had studied all instruments played with the bow, and could play the violin with four strings, the five- and four-stringed viola, and the viol d'amour, in each case preserving the characteristic quality of tone. He had a particular method of tuning, by which he produced varied and striking effects of tone. Charmed with his talent and originality, and anxious to turn to account his power of bowing and knowledge of effect, Meyerbeer wrote for him the famous viol d'amour solo in the accompaniment to the tenor air in the 1st act of the 'Huguenots.'
Short in stature, and with no personal attractions, Urhan dressed like a clergyman, and was looked upon, not without reason, as an eccentric; but his religion was untainted by bigotry, and he was kind and charitable. He pushed his asceticism so far as to take but one meal a day, often of bread and radishes; and during the 30 years he sat in the orchestra of the Opéra, either from religious scruples, or fear of being shocked at the attitudes of the ballerine, he never once glanced at the stage. As a composer he aimed at combining new forms with simplicity of ideas. He left 2 string quartets; 2 quintets for 3 violas, cello, double-bass, and drums ad lib.; PF. pieces for 2 and 4 hands; and melodies for 1 and 2 voices, including a romance on two notes only, all published by Richault, and now almost unprocurable. Urhan styled all his music 'romantic.' He died after a long and painful illness at Belleville (Paris), Nov. 2, 1845. Urhan was godfather to Jules Stockhausen the singer.[ G. C. ]