Event programme

Jean-Philipp Rameau (1683-1764): Les Pièces de clavecin en concerts (1741)

Les Pièces de clavecin en concerts by Jean-Philippe Rameau, published in 1741, represent the only example of the composer’s chamber music and were written during his mature creative period. Chronologically, they closely follow his works for solo harpsichord, his sacred music and his first operatic masterpieces. The title page of the original edition indicates that the harpsichord enters into dialogue with a violin or flute and a viola or a second violin. Consequently, the performance possibilities that respect Rameau’s instructions are highly varied. They differ from the Italian trio sonatas, whose central figure remains Corelli, primarily in the role of the keyboard: in those works, the keyboard functions mainly as basso continuo, whereas Rameau gives the harpsichord a clearly dominant and virtuoso role, with the melodic instruments – violin, flute or viola – serving as accompaniment. In this respect, they are closer to Bach’s sonatas for violin and harpsichord from around 1720, in which the melodic lines of both instruments are of equal importance. In his preface, Rameau emphasises: “These pieces, performed on the harpsichord alone, leave nothing to be desired; one would not even suspect that they could gain any additional charm.” This was most likely an attempt to broaden the appeal of the collection among amateur musicians. Rameau also arranged four of these pieces for solo harpsichord – those for which such adaptation was least straightforward (La Livri, L’agaçante, La timide and L’indiscrète). Several of these pieces were later adapted, orchestrated and incorporated into his operas (Zoroastre, Les Fêtes de Polymnie, Dardanus and Le Temple de la Gloire).

Jean-Philipp Rameau (1683-1764): Les Pièces de clavecin en concerts (1741)

Premier concert (RCT 7)
La Coulicam / La Livri / Le Vézinet

Deuxième concert (RCT 8)
La Laborde / La Boucon: dédié à la claveciniste virtuose Anne-Jeanne Boucon. / L'Agaçante / 1er Menuet / 2e Menuet

Troisième concert (RCT 9)
La Lapoplinière / La Timide / 1er Rondeau / 2e Rondeau / 1er Tambourin / 2e Tambourin

Quatrième concert (RCT 10)
La Pantomime / L'Indiscrète / La Rameau

Cinquième concert (RCT 11)
La Forqueray (Fugue) / La Cupis / La Marais