Balbastre, the composer, helped popularize the fortepiano and even conceived of adding a buff stop to the harpsichord to compete with it.
Composer Biography
Claude-Bénigne Balbastre, the composer, was born in Dijon in 1724 and received his first lessons from his father, an organist.
Instruments
The harpsichord used for this recording, though marked as a 1590 Ruckers, was actually built in the 18th century by Jean-Claude Goujon and later refitted by Jacques Joachim Swanen.
Historical Context
The Archbishop of Paris once forbade Balbastre from playing his famous Noëls on the organ of Saint-Roch due to the large crowds that gathered, disrupting the sanctity of the place.
Composer Biography
Balbastre, the composer, was taught harpsichord and organ by Claude Rameau, brother of the famous Jean-Philippe Rameau.
Composer Biography
Balbastre, the composer, became organist of the Concert Spirituel, Saint-Roch, and Notre-Dame de Paris, and later harpsichord master to Queen Marie-Antoinette.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in the Amphithéâtre de la Cité de la musique, Paris, using a harpsichord from the collection of the Musée de la musique.
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