Raoul Duquette

Duquette, Raoul

Raoul Duquette. Cellist, teacher, b Montreal 1879, d there 9 May 1962. He received basic musical training from his father, Jean A. DUQUETTE, and studied cello with Gustave Labelle. He continued his cello studies 1901-4 under Édouard Jacobs at the Ghent Conservatory. On the recommendation of Emma Albani, an acquaintance of his father, he auditioned for Sir Henry Wood, who hired him; he was a member 1904-10 of the orchestra of the Covent Garden Royal Opera. After returning to Montreal he performed as a soloist and orchestral player and taught at McGill University. He was a founding member of the Montreal Orchestra throughout its existence, and a member 1935-ca 1950 of the CSM Orchestra. In 1917 he founded the César Franck Trio with Leon Kofman (violin) and Blanche Hardy-Laurendeau (piano) and he was a member 1920-5 of the Chamberland String Quartet. He recorded a cello transcription of the song 'Annie Laurie' for HMV (216041).

See also Ellsworth Duquette (his uncle).