Auguste Tolbecque

History

Auguste Tolbecque (1830-1919) was born in Paris on March 30, 1830, the son of the violinist Auguste Joseph Tolbecque, or according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, the son of Hofballmusikdirector Isidor Tolbecque.

He trained as a cellist at the Paris Conservatoire, where he received the first prize in 1849, and became a successful soloist and teacher.

Auguste Tolbecque settled in Niort, Deux-Sèvres, from 1858.

His private collection of instruments was purchased by the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels, in 1879.

He died in Niort, France, in 1919.

Craft

• Training: Auguste Tolbecque studied violin making with Rambaux in Paris around 1872, as noted by John Dilworth, and also mentioned by Henri Poidras and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Instrument Making: He made several reproductions and good copies of old instruments, as stated by Henri Poidras and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. Cecie Stainer notes he made a small number of new instruments.
• Restoration: He gained considerable reputation and skill as a restorer of old instruments, according to John Dilworth, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, and Cecie Stainer.
• Labels: His labels show a curious mixture of languages, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. Examples include "Ate Tolbecque fils fecit / Paris anno 1859" and "Ate. Tolbecque fils fecit Parigi, anno 1851".

Influence

• Musical Training: Auguste Tolbecque was trained as a cellist at the Paris Conservatoire, where he won the first prize in 1849.
• Luthiery Mentorship: He learned instrument making under Rambaux in Paris, as confirmed by multiple sources including John Dilworth, Henri Poidras, and Cecie Stainer.

Legacy

• Collection: His valuable collection of old musical instruments was acquired by the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels, in 1879.
• Authorship: He was the author of three authoritative books on lutherie and instruments, including L'art du Luthier (Niort, 1903), Notice Historique sur les Instruments à Cordes et à Archet (Paris, 1898), and Quelques considérations sur la Luthérie (Paris, 1890).

Further Information

• Location: Auguste Tolbecque settled in Niort, Deux-Sèvres, from 1858.
• Other Skills: He was also an organist and successfully attempted organ building.

Summary

Auguste Tolbecque was a distinguished French cellist, teacher, and luthier, born in Paris in 1830. He trained at the Paris Conservatoire and later studied violin making with Rambaux, becoming known for his reproductions of old instruments and his skill as a restorer. Tolbecque was also an instrument collector, organist, and author of several authoritative books on lutherie, with his collection eventually purchased by the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels.