Duport, Studies for cello

Edited by Pierre Fournier and Revised by Friedrich Gruetzmacher (IMC)

The Studies for Cello or Études pour Violoncello by Jean-Louis Duport (1749-1819) hold immense significance in cello pedagogy. Even though they are more than 200 years old, cellists today still consider them relevant, even though Duport's concert music remains largely forgotten. Jean-Louis Duport, a French cellist, and his brother Jean-Pierre Duport revolutionized cello performance during their time. There were very few cello virtuosos before them, with Luigi Boccherini being a notable exception.

Duport honed his techniques in France under the guidance of Martin Berteau, alongside his elder brother Jean-Pierre. His virtuosic abilities allowed him to hold many remarkable positions while living in France. However, he had to flee to Prussia because of the French Revolution. In Prussia, Duport resided in Berlin, where he gained the favour of the music-loving King Friedrich Wilhelm II. He also collaborated with Ludwig van Beethoven on his Op. 5 cello sonatas, which proved crucial in Beethoven's career. It changed the cello's role to become an accurate solo instrument and altered how Beethoven treated it in his scores.

Only a few of his concert works are remembered today. However, his Studies for Cello are still essential to cello practice. He primarily composed them himself, although Berteau, Duport's teacher, composed the sixth. Studies eight and ten were composed by his brother, cellist Jean-Pierre Duport.