A masterpiece by Jean-Philippe Rameau. Popular classical music.
When it comes to great French composers of the Baroque era, Jean-Philippe Rameau stands out.
Rameau earned high acclaim for the grand motet—a church vocal form featuring a rich, relatively large ensemble—and for his opera Les Indes galantes.
His music naturally fits the movements of ballet, and he is hailed as the greatest composer of ballet music before Stravinsky.
This time, I have gathered quintessentially Baroque pieces by Rameau, including harpsichord (clavecin) masterpieces and selections from his operas.
I hope you will give them a listen.
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Jean-Philippe Rameau's masterpiece. Popular classical music (21–30)
How lovely are thy tabernacles (Quam dilecta tabernacula)Jean-Philippe Rameau
In his thirties, before he made his name in opera, Rameau composed sacred grands motets.
“How Lovely Are Thy Altars,” composed in 1720, showcases his mastery as a leading authority on functional harmony, and is an outstanding work that conveys the fragrant spirit of the French Baroque through its beautiful and delicate harmonies.
Hippolyte et Aricie (Ippolito to Arishī)Jean-Philippe Rameau
At the age of fifty, Rameau made a late start as an opera composer.
His milestone first work was Hippolyte et Aricie.
With this piece, Rameau earned high acclaim as an opera composer, and its innovative, delicate orchestration moved the people of Paris.
From this work onward, Rameau would go on to lead the Parisian opera scene.
The Festival of Hebe (Les fêtes d’Hébé)Jean-Philippe Rameau
In 1697, a style of opera known as opéra-ballet emerged, with the first work being André Campra’s L’Europe galante.
Rameau also wrote famous opéra-ballets.
His representative works include Les Indes galantes (1735) and Les fêtes d’Hébé (1739).
The Birth of Osiris La Naissance d’Osiris (Part 1/3)Jean-Philippe Rameau
The Birth of Osiris (premiered in 1754) is an opera Rameau presented at the age of 71, created at the height of his artistic maturity.
It clearly showcases the thoughtful, intricate interplay of harmony of a composer who knew music inside out.
Hungary’s leading Capella Savaria Ensemble vividly brings out the work’s profound flavors.
Castor and Pollux (Castor et Pollux)Jean-Philippe Rameau
“Castor et Pollux – Premiere in 1737” is a refined French Baroque drama that begins with a beautiful period-instrument prelude, leading into a serene chorus, and from there one is completely captivated by the opera’s allure.
The performance is by Nikolaus Harnoncourt with the venerable period-instrument orchestra Concentus Musicus Wien, which he founded in 1953 with members of the Vienna Symphony; they are renowned for their elegant, transparent, and superb playing.
Gavotte and Six VariationsJean-Philippe Rameau
The performer of “Gavotte and Six Variations” is Natasha Kudrytska, born in Ukraine in 1983.
She is a young pianist who won First Prize at the Vibrarte International Music Competition and the Robert Casadesus Prize, and in 2009 received the Grand Prix of the Safran Foundation.
Her performance of “Gavotte and Six Variations” weaves delicate tones that lead us into a poetic world.
Harpsichord Pieces for Concert, Book IIIJean-Philippe Rameau
Performed by world-renowned period-instrument violinist and conductor Patrick Cohën-Akenine, Bruges International Early Music Competition harpsichord winner Béatrice Martin, and one of the world’s leading viola da gamba players, Nima Ben David, this piece offers a performance of delicate elegance and supreme harmony.