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Laurent, Laforce & Bourdeau
Laurent, Laforce & Bourdeau (Laurent et Laforce, 1861-4; Laurent, Laforce & Cie, 1865-88). Montreal music and instrument dealers, publishers, and piano manufacturers. Though first documented in 1861, Laurent et Laforce were established sufficiently by 1862 to survive a fire, to sell a large part of their stock to the newly founded Boucher et Manseau (with whom they began sharing premises), and to expand their piano and harmonium business.
The few examples of sheet music which have been found date the firm's publishing activities to the years before Confederation. The scant output indicates collaboration with US publishers, notably G. Schirmer in New York, whose plate number appears on one of the pieces and whose advertisement decorates the back cover of another. The latter piece, M.F.E. Valois' 'La Mansarde' (ca 1864, arranged by Calixa Lavallée) is the fifth in the series 'Lyre canadienne,' of which the sixth, 'La Vierge de France' (ca 1864), also has been found.
As Laurent, Laforce & Cie, the firm advertised as piano manufacturers, then continued in retail business until 1901. The firm became Laurent, Laforce & Bourdeau in 1888.
