Dandrieu came from a family of artisans in Paris; his father was a master 'gainier' who decorated leather goods with jewels.
Historical Context
The period Dandrieu lived in saw a rise in amateur music-making in Paris, fueled by new engraving techniques that made music publishing more accessible.
Compositional Technique
Dandrieu's mature harpsichord works, published from 1724 onwards, show a shift from older French compositional styles to incorporate more character pieces and Italianate elements.
Composer Biography
Jean-François Dandrieu, the composer, was a child prodigy who reportedly played the harpsichord for King Louis XIV at the age of five.
Composition History
Dandrieu's early harpsichord pieces were published between 1700 and 1704, making him the youngest known composer to have released a book of music.
Instruments
The harpsichord used for this recording was made by Titus Crijnen in 2013, modeled after a 1733 instrument by Blanchet.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Unlike his contemporary François Couperin, Dandrieu aimed his harpsichord music at a less elitist market, avoiding excessive technical demands and complex instructions.
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