Santa Clara County
Biographies
PROF. PERRE DOUILLET
A talented musician, and one of the foremost pianists of the Pacific coast, Prof. Pierre Douillet is connected with the faculty of the University of the Pacific as dean of its Conservator of Music, which owes much of its Conservatory of Music, which owes much of its present popularity to his artistic and scientific instruction. He is a master of technique, and as teacher, concert pianist and composer has achieved distinction, winning the approval of the public and the sincere praises of the press, not only in California and adjacent states, but throughout the Union. A Russian by birth, he was born January 28, 1861, in Karkov, Russia, of French ancestry on the paternal side. His father, Capt. Modeste Douillet, was born in France, the descendant of a family of prominence. As an officer in the French army he served in the Crimean war, where he was so severely wounded that he lost his right hand. After the war was over the captain was for several years associated with the diplomatic service in Russia, and having acquired property interests in that country remained there until his death, in 1871. He married Valentina Stampkoffska, a pupil of Adolph Henselt, and a musician of great ability. She was born in Poland, and died in Austria. Her father served in the Crimean war also, being an officer in the Russian army.
The older of the two children, both sons, of his parents, Pierre Douillet inherited in no small measure the musical talent and temperament of his gifted mother, and as a child showed a passionate fondness for music. After the death of his father his widowed mother took him to Austria, where he entered the Lemberg Conservatory of Music in which his uncle, Louis Marek, was a director, and where he remained until his graduation. Going then to Moscow, he was a pupil of Nicholas Rubinstein, in the Moscow Conservatory, until the death of his teacher in 1878. Returning then to Austria, Mr. Douillet studied harmony and counterpoint with Prof. F. St. Wiethe. After completing his musical education he engaged in giving concerts, touring all the principal cities of Austria, Hungary and Romania, his debut being made in Boesendorfer hall, Vienna. Immigrating to New York City in 1881, Mr. Douillet accepted the position of professor of the pianoforte in New York College of Music, and retained it for six years. During this time he gave concerts and recitals in Steinway hall, and was warmly welcomed by the public, who proved critical, but appreciative. The press notices that appeared in the New York and Brooklyn papers were very flattering, the Herald, World, Musical Courier and other leading journals speaking in the most complimentary terms of his wonderful ability and power. As soon as possible after his arrival in this country, Mr. Douillet became a citizen of the United States, and as such has since been devoted to its interests.
In 1891 Mr. Douillet was made musical director of the conservatory of the North Texas Female College, at Sherman, Texas, and was there six years. In June, 1893, he returned to New York, and played at the New York State Teachers’ Festival, in Rochester, where he created a sensation by his wonderful artistic rendering of various difficult compositions. Visiting the Pacific coast for the first time in the summer of 1895, he gave concerts and recitals in Portland, Ore., and in Tacoma, Wash., and made a most favorable and lasting impression on his audiences, which were large and enthusiastic. Subsequently resigning his position in Sherman, Mr. Douillet came to San Jose, and has since been dean of the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific, and professor of the pianoforte. Under his efficient instruction the membership has increased each year, the number in 1897 having been but thirty, while in 1904 one hundred and forty-five pupils registered in the musical department of the university. Lessons are given in vocal culture, on the piano and violin, and in harmony, counterpoint and composition. Professor Douillet gives frequent concerts and recitals in San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and other near-by cities, and has also acquired fame for many of his compositions, which include songs, piano and orchestra.
Professor Douillet married Nitalia Evasuma Small, who was born in Nevada, of American-Spanish ancestry. She, too, is a gifted musician, a singer of some note, and is now teacher of vocal culture in the University of the Pacific. Since 1881 Professor Douillet has made five trips to Europe, and has visited the leading cities of the continent.
Transcribed
by Joyce Rugeroni.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 928-931. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Joyce Rugeroni.