A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Weckerlin, Jean Baptiste

by Gustave Chouquet

WECKERLIN, Jean Baptiste, born at Guebwiller in Alsace, Nov. 9, 1821, son of a manufacturer. So strong were his musical instincts, that though educated for trade, he ran away to Paris, and in 1844 entered the Conservatoire, where he learned harmony under Elwart, and composition under Halévy. Not succeeding in the Institut examinations, he left the school, and took to teaching and composition. Eager to produce, and very industrious, he let slip no opportunity of making himself known, and attempted all branches of composition, though soon finding that success at the theatre was out of the question. Musical bibliography was his main resource, and he brought to light many curious old compositions, such as the 'Ballet comique de la Reyne,' which was given with others of the same class, at the concerts of the Societé de Sainte Cecile, of which he was chorus-master from 1850 to 55.^[1] He also made a fine collection of scarce books of poetry, with airs in notation, and song-writers, which he turned to account in his Collections of national airs. In 1863 be was selected to form the library of the newly-founded 'Société des Compositeurs de Musique,' and in 1869 was placed Auber in the Library of the Conservatoire, of which he became head-librarian Sept. 9, 1876—a post which he still (1885) fills with success.

His vocal and operatic works include 6 operas; 2 ode-symphonies; 2 antique dramas; a large number of choruses for female voices and for male do.; 6 Quatuors de Salon; various extensive collections of pieces, and over 300 airs for voice and PF.; a Mass and sundry Motets. His instrumental works comprise a Symphony and Suite, both for full orchestra; arrangements, etc.

His bibliographical works are as follows:—

'Chansons populaires des provinces de la France' (1860), with Champfleury; 'Les Echos du Temps passé,' 3 vols.; 'Les Echos d'Angleterre'; 'Album de la Grandmaman,' 20 old melodies; 'Chansons et Rondes pour les enfants' (1885); 'Chansons de France pour les petits Français' (1885); 'Ballet comique de la Reine'; Cambert's operas 'Pomone,' and 'Les Peines et les Plaisirs de l'Amour'; 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme,' divertissements by Molière and Lully. Various articles in the 'Bulletin de la Société des Compositeurs'; 'Musiciana,' extracts from rare books (Paris, 1877); 'Chansons populaires de l'Alsace,' 2 vols. (1883); and 'La Bibliothèque du Conservatoire de musique,' 1 vol. 8vo (1885), a catalogue raisonné of the books in the Réserve.

He has still in MS. 400 airs and 25 operas, and an 'Essai sur l'Histoire de l'Instrumentation,' commended by the Institut (1875).

[ G. C. ]

1. Seghers (1801–1881) was conductor.