Paul Tortelier (March 21, 1914 - December 18, 1990) was a French cellist and composer. Tortelier was born in Paris, the son of a cabinet maker. He was encouraged to play the cello by his father and mother, and at 12 he entered the Paris Conservatoire. He won the first prize in cello at the conservatoire when he was 16, and then he took harmony classes under Jean Gallon. In 1935 Tortelier joined the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, and played with them until 1937. Wikipedia
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