Fernand de la Tombelle is not a very well known name, although quite a few of his works are available on CD. From his mother - a pupil of Liszt and Thalberg - he received his first music lessons. At the Paris conservatory he studied organ with Guilmant and composition with Dubois. La Tombelle became especially active as organist and teacher at the famous Schola Cantorum. Cycling was one of his many
… hobbies. He is said to have regularly cycled from Paris to his castle in the Dordogne, a journey stretching over 500 kilometres. The Mandelring Quartet here breaks a lance for La Tombelle's String Quartet op.36, which premiered in 1896. This quartet has not become as famous as the quartets of Debussy and Ravel from almost the same time. La Tombelle's quartet was nevertheless good enough for the then prestigious Prix Chartier. (HJmore
