Francis Planté, born François Planté on March 2, 1839, in Orthez, France, was a notable pianist. He began his musical studies at age four under Madame de Saint-Aubert, an alumna of Franz Liszt. At age seven, he enrolled as an auditor at the Conservatoire de musique et de déclamation in Paris and became a full student the following year. Planté won first prize for piano in 1850, sharing it with Jules Cohen. He continued his education, earning awards in harmony and accompaniment by 1855. Planté was one of the earliest musicians to be recorded and was remembered for his performances of Frédéric Chopin's works, whom he had seen perform at age ten. He passed away on December 19, 1934. Notable posthumous releases included Masters of the French Piano Tradition - recordings from 1903-1939.
