French Organist, harpsichordist and composer. Jean-Philippe Rameau is born in Dijon in September 1683. His father, Jean Rameau, organist of the cathedral of Dijon, was possibly his first Master.

After a first stay in Paris in 1706, the year when he publishes his "Premier Livre de pièces de clavecin", Jean-Philippe Rameau settles in Paris definitively in 1722 and publishes his "Traité de l'harmonie". His influence as a theoretician of music, was considerable, especially in the field of the harmony, for which he creates the foundations of teaching. He had already occupied various posts as organist (Avignon, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon). Jean-Philippe Rameau publishes his second book: "Pièces de clavecin" in 1724, but he is still regarded as a theoretician and a pedagogue. He publishes his third collection: "Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin" in Paris in 1728.

His dedication only comes later, when he meets the rich person and farmer general Pouplinière who takes him under his protection. Pouplinière introduces him to Voltaire (who will give him four booklets of opera), and opens the doors of the Opera to him. The representation of "Hippolyte et Aricie" in 1733 is a success. Denominated composer of the room of the King in 1745, Jean-Philippe Rameau writes his largest masterpieces: Les Indes Galantes, Castor et Pollux, Dardanus (1735-39).

Jean-Philippe Rameau was an innovator, his operas constitute a total revival of the French traditional opera, in particular with the importance given to the orchestra and the introduction of real parts of descriptive music (like, the earthquake of the "Indes Galantes"). His parts of harpsichord in concert, characterised by the virtuosity given to the instrument soloist, announce the treatment that Haydn and Mozart will make of it.



"Pièces de clavecin" (1724) :
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) Le rappel des oiseaux
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) Le Lardon

fac-simile :
Table d'agréments
Menuet en rondeau des "Pièces de clavecin" (1724)

Work for solo harpsichord of Jean-Philippe Rameau :
Premier livre de pièces de clavecin (Paris, 1706) :
Prélude
Allemande I
Allemande II
Courante
Gigue
Sarabandes
Vénitienne
Gavotte
Menuet

Pièces de clavecin (Paris, 1724) :
Allemande
Courante
1ère Gigue en rondeau
2ème Gigue en rondeau
Le rappel des oiseaux
Rigaudons et Double
Musette en rondeau
Tambourin
La Villageoise
Les Tendres plaintes
Les Niais de Sologne
Premier Double des Niais
Deuxième Double des Niais
Les Soupirs
La Joyeuse
La Follette
L'entretien des Muses
Les Tourbillons
Les Cyclopes
Le Lardon 7
La Boiteuse
Menuet en rondeau

Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin (Paris, 1728) :
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Les Trois Mains
Fanfarinette
La Triomphante
Gavotte et ses 6 Doubles
Les Tricotets
L'Indifférente
Menuets I et II
La poule
Les Triolets
Les Sauvages
L'Enharmonique
L'Egyptienne

Cinq pièces de clavecin en concerts (Paris, 1741) :
La Livri
L'Agaçante
La Timide, premier rondeau
La Timide, deuxième rondeau
L'Indiscrète

Manuscrit (1747) :
La Dauphine