Parant: Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin

Del Campo, Eva

96854

The peak of the French harpsichord came in the 18th century with the publication of the music of François Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau as the leading representatives of the French harpsichord school. They were followed by numerous harpsichord books written by a new generation of composers such as Claude Balbastre, Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer, Jacques Duphly and Michel Corrette.

It is in this rococo and gallant context, which constitutes the last glorious period of the harpsichord, that we find the music of Jean- Baptiste Parant (ca. 1730-ca. 1780), whose biography is nearly completely unknown to us.

His Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin, published in 1762, contains 16 pieces written in the fresh and carefree rococo style, a faithful reflection of the music of the time, which could be heard in the salons of aristocrats and patrons. The titles of the pieces allude to characters from Parant's environment, whereas we also find suggestive titles such as Les Cascades, La Majestueuse or La Pétulante. All his suites present the common dances of the French Suites: Menuet, Rondeau, Allemande, Gavotte, Lourée, etc.

Eva del Campo Basso received her musical education in Spain and France. She was the winner of the VIII International Early Music Competition of Gijón 2018 and subsequently she worked with specialists in the Early Music such as Enrico Onofri, Christophe Coin, Ottavio Dantone, Alfredo Bernardini, Paul Goodwin and Gilles Colliard.

CD x 1

Brilliant Classics

4/3/24

5028421968544