Mrs. Eddy Mentioned Them April 23, 1960 Issue

Jean (Francis Tatton) Latour, 1766—1845

[Mentioned in Retrospection and Introspection, p. 82]

Latour first won renown in Paris as a piano virtuoso and composer. When he left Paris for London during the early days of the French Revolution, it is probable that he decided to call himself Francis Tatton Latour instead of Jean, for he is listed under both names in English and European dictionaries of musicians. Latours acquaintance with French refugees of high rank was a means of his being introduced into some of the great English houses where he taught piano. In his introduction to his "New and Improved Method of Instruction for the Pianoforte," he says that this work contains "the written system of oral instruction which the author has so long and so successfully acted upon." He was named court pianist by the Prince of Wales, later George IV.

Latour became a partner in the music publishing firm of Chappell and Company, London, and later went into business entirely for himself. Some time after 1830 he returned to Paris.

Latour's compositions, printed in Paris, London, and the principal cities of Germany, include concertos for the piano, trios for piano, harp, and flute, four-hand piano music, and piano sonatas. He was sometimes likened to Gelinek and Czerny. Choosing operatic melodies or popular airs as the themes of many of his works, Latour won great favor.

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Signs of the Times
April 23, 1960
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