Jean-François Madeuf, trumpeter spezialised on early brass instruments

Musician

active in numerous baroques ensembles
in France, Europe and Japan…

Teacher

in various high music schools
in France and Switzerland…

Researcher

in musicology, organology
and iconography…

The situation of the natural trumpet in today’s historically informed baroque performances is rather strange.

In comparison to the other instruments rediscovered over the last 50 years, the re-emergence of the instrument has only partially taken place as very few artists play it in concert today.

It is certainly the only instrument of the baroque orchestra for which a modern compromise version has been invented which has virtually usurped the original instrument in the majority of ensembles.

Jean-Francois Madeuf is one of the rare players nowadays, in the line of pioneers such as Don Smithers and Edward Tarr, he has dedicated himself to the rehabilitation of the baroque trumpet for some 25 years, in addition to his activity as a musical interpreter, a teacher and researcher.

Latest news

6-7/03/2025 : Conference of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis as part of the Project “L’arte musicale di Giuseppe Torelli”

On March 6th and 7th, a series of lectures dedicated to Giuseppe Torelli and an instrumental music concert will take place at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis.

Toy trumpets!

The recent recording of Toy Symphony and Sleigh Ride by Leopold Mozart required the reconstruction of two toy brass trumpets due to the lack of usable original 18th-century instruments. It was the instrument maker Patrick Fraize who took on the task once again.

Historical Mutes

This section had previously discussed practice mutes during the lockdown, but following a recent concert featuring trumpets with mutes, a few words on trumpet mutes from the 17th and 18th centuries now seem necessary.

September 29, 2024: Trumpet & Organ Concert – “Instrument of Kings & King of Instruments”

Sunday, September 29, at 5 PM – Saint Vaast Church, Béthune (62)
Original works by Bach, Buxtehude, Krebs, Philipps, Boyce…
Benjamin Steens, organ
Jean-François Madeuf, natural and slide trumpets

18-19/01/2024 Masterclass Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Masterclass at the Amsterdam Conservatory at the invitation of the establishment’s baroque trumpet professor Nicolas Isabelle.

Rarity to start 2024!

Release of the CD “Habsburg Music for 2 Trumpets” in duo with the trumpeter Julian Zimmermann and the Rossetti Players ensemble, released in January by the Accent label.