Louis Rosoor

Louis Rosoor (September 1883 – March 1969) was a French cellist, performer and teacher.

Louis Rosoor was born in Tourcoing (in northern France), 1 September 1883. He studied cello first with Émile Dienne at the conservatory of Lille and then with Jules Loeb at the conservatory of Paris.

He started being solo violoncello at the Concerts Hasselmans then, in 1909, succeeded to the famous cellist André Hekking as cello professor in the conservatory of Bordeaux, position that he kept until 1953. He was also teaching Chamber music. He has been member of juries in the conservatories of Paris and Toulouse.

He played in various chamber music ensembles: the Marsick Quartet (with whom he traveled through Europe and stayed three months in Cairo), the Thibaud – Arthur – Rosoor Trio (1909–1945), the Gaspard Quartet (1910–1940), the Quartet of Bordeaux as well as with Francis Planté, in duo, trio with Noëla Cousin playing violin and in Piano quartet with also Marie-Valentine Rosoor, his wife, playing viola (1921–1927).

He gave quite a number of concerts, most in Bordeaux and around (e.g. in Arcachonfrom 1910 to 1926) including in Spain, but also some in Paris where he was one of the earliest performers of pieces like Debussy's sonata– accompanied by pianist Paule Dencausse, Fauré's second sonata or Vincent d'Indy's trio, all rehearsed with their composers.

He was close to, or played with, other composers like Halina Krzyżanowska, Maurice Ravel, Jean Roger-Ducasse, Guy Ropartz, Albert Roussel, Florent Schmitt or Charles Tournemire and performers like Lucien Capet, Claire Croiza, Paul Loyonnet, Gaston Poulet or Blanche Selva. Julien Fernand Vaubourgoin dedicated his Sonata for piano and cello to him.

He played a Testore cello at the beginning of his career and, later, a Gigli ; occasionally a Tecchler.

He was one of Le Violoncelle magazine's contributors since its first edition in March 1922.

He recorded in 1933 by Gramophone-His Master's Voice (K-6960 et K-7027). His interpretations were broadcast on the "T.S.F." radio (1933–1938).

He was the author of a transcription of seven Bach Inventions called "Sept pièces pour deux violoncelles concertants ou pour violon et violoncelle – sans accompagnement de piano", still edited today.

He transcribed the Mozart Sonata for bassoon and cello (K.292/196c) into a cello concerto.

Main founder of the Society of Chamber Music of Bordeaux, he remained, as well as his wife Marie-Valentine, Technical Adviser for a long time. Louis Rosoor has been an outstanding actor in the musical activity of Bordeaux in the first half of the 20th century.