Jean-Philippe Rameau

Life and music

Jean-Philippe Rameau was a French composer and music theorist, born in Dijon in 1683 and deceased in Paris in 1764. His work ranged from keyboard music to the stage. Hippolyte et Aricie in 1733 challenged established operatic tastes; Platée followed in 1745. During the 1752 to 1754 Querelle des Bouffons, supporters of Rameau and Rousseau debated French and Italian operatic styles. Those disputes give context, not a single interpretation for every keyboard piece.

Compare Les Tendres Plaintes, Les Sauvages and La Poule as different character-piece destinations. Keep the historical title Les Sauvages in context: it is not our description of Indigenous peoples, nor a claim that the piece is a transcription of Indigenous music.

Sources

• imslp.org/Category:Rameau,_Jean-Philip
• imslp.org/Suite_in_G_major,_RCT_6_(Ram
• imslp.org/List_of_works_by_Jean-Philip
• catalogue.bnf.fr
• cmbv.fr

Where to start

1. 1Les Tendres PlaintesLevel 5, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Les Sauvages, Suite in G, RCT 6Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3La Poule, Suite in G, RCT 6Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces in the Music Room

The prelude gallery

• Prélude, Premier livre, RCT 1Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro

Small scenes, big imagination

• Vénitienne, Premier livre, RCT 1Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Les Niais de Sologne, Suite in D major, RCT 3Level 8, estimatedWith Maestro
• L'Indifférente, Suite in G, RCT 6Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro

More pieces

• Courante, Premier livre, RCT 1Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Gavotte, Premier livre, RCT 1Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
• Menuet, Premier livre, RCT 1Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
• Les Tricotets, Suite in G, RCT 6Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
• Tambourin, Suite in E minor, RCT 2Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro