Born in Dijon, Maurice Maréchal began studying the cello from a very early age (around seven or eight years old) at the "Conservatoire" in the same town. He was accepted into the "Conservatoire de Paris" in November 1905. From 1911 he gave his first solo concerts, but in 1912 he had to undertake his military service. He became a drummer in the Rouen 74th infantry regiment band. War broke out in August 1914. Until February 1919, Maurice Maréchal confided his thoughts daily in his diaries (...)