Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) was a seminal French composer and music theorist of the Baroque era, whose work laid the foundation for harmonic practice in Western music for centuries to come. Born in Dijon, Rameau spent much of his career in Paris, where he composed a series of operas that gained him renown. Before achieving fame as an opera composer, Rameau wrote numerous works for harpsichord and was employed as an organist in prominent churches. He was considered a late bloomer, achieving fame only in his 50s with his first opera "Hippolyte et Aricie" in 1733. His treatise on music theory, "Traité de l'harmonie" (Treatise on Harmony), published in 1722, is one of the most important music theory documents from the 18th century.

Rameau continued to be influential after his death, as is evident from the enduring relevance of his music. The various album titles referencing Rameau, such as "A Window into the Past," "WAVES: Music by Rameau, Ravel, Alkan," and "Rameau Re-Imagined," reflect how his compositions are being reinterpreted and celebrated well into the modern era. His works, including pieces for the harpsichord and contributions to operatic and choral literature, show his exceptional grasp of melody, harmony, and orchestration. Albums like "Rameau: Les Boréades" and "His Erato Recordings" feature some of his most compelling compositions, keeping the legacy of one of the Baroque period's greatest minds alive to this day.

Genres

Baroque

Classical

Classical Era

Early Music

French Baroque

French Opera

Related Artists

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George Frideric Handel

Antonio Vivaldi

Domenico Scarlatti

François Couperin

Christoph Willibald Gluck

Marin Marais

Arcangelo Corelli

Henry Purcell

Georg Philipp Telemann

Jean-Baptiste Lully

Claudio Monteverdi

Latest Release

Rameau: Les Boréades

Jean-Philippe Rameau•

Reinoud Van Mechelen

Album - 96 Tracks - Released September 13, 2024