Émile Taranto

Taranto, Émile

Taranto, Émile. Violinist, teacher, b Montreal, of Italian parents, 1878, d there 27 Aug 1936. At six he began studying violin with Frantz Jehin-Prume, and by 1894 he was a member of Couture's MSO. He also gave many recitals at that time. In June 1903 he went to Brussels to study with Eugene Ysaÿe, who recorded his impressions of his pupil in October of the same year: 'I am completely satisfied with the progress of M. Taranto, and I believe that by prolonging his stay for a year we may hope to obtain a very artistic result. I am both interested in him and fond of him.' Taranto returned to Montreal, played Bruch's Concerto No. 1 8 Apr 1904 with the Goulet MSO, and served 1904-7 as that orchestra's concertmaster. Also in 1904 he founded the Mendelssohn Trio. He participated in concerts by the Beethoven Trio and in 1907 and 1914 toured Europe. Concurrent with his career as a concert artist, he spent much time teaching, notably at Villa-Maria and Mont-Ste-Marie convents, at convents in Lachine, at the St-Louis-de-Gonzague Church, and at the Académie Marie-Rose. His pupils included Jean Deslauriers, Marthe Lapointe, Annette Lasalle-Leduc, and Lucien Sicotte. Taranto wrote a few pieces for violin including Danse caprice (MusiCanada, February 1923) and Mouche à feu. In February 1930 at Windsor Hall he performed the Sonata in one movement and Romance on the G String by Émiliano Renaud, with the composer at the piano.