In 1816, Urhan was appointed solo viola at the Paris Opera, and became solo violinist in 1825. Strongly Catholic, he was also appointed organist at the Church of Saint Vincent de Paul in Paris in 1827, a position that he held until his death. In this position he met the young Franz Liszt, with whom he played chamber music including Beethoven's "Kreutzer Sonata" during a mass. A number of composers wrote works for Urhan. Giacomo Meyerbeer composed for him parts for solo viola and solo viola d'amore in his opera "Les Huguenots", and Rodolphe Kreutzer, the part for solo viola d'amore in his opera "Le Paradis de Mahomet". In 1834, Hector Berlioz wrote his "Harold en Italie" for orchestra with viola obbligato at the request of Niccolò Paganini, who refused to play the work. Berlioz offered the solo viola part to Urhan and the premiere was given on 23 November 1834 at the Paris Conservatory.