André Navarra, born in 1911 in Biarritz, France, was a notable cellist and pedagogue. He began his musical education at nine years old at the Conservatoire de Toulouse, later winning first prize. He entered the Conservatoire de Paris in 1926, earning his first prize at age 15. Navarra's breakthrough came when he won first prize at the International Cello Competition in Vienna in 1937. He embarked on a successful solo career, performing with Orchestres Pasdeloup and Lamoureux, and touring internationally. André Navarra succeeded Pierre Fournier as a professor at the Conservatoire national de musique de Paris in 1949. Throughout his career, he taught at various institutions, including the Académie Chigiana in Siena and the Royal School of Music in London. His recordings include notable concertos such as Beethoven: Sonates pour violoncelle et piano and Lalo & Saint-Saëns: Cello Concertos. André Navarra died in Siena, Italy in 1988.
