Vertigo Jean Rondeau

• Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764): Premier livre de pièces de Clavecin, (1706), Suite in A Minor, RCT 1
• 1No. 1 Prélude04:12
• Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer (c.1705 - 1755): Pièces pour clavecin, Book 1 (1746)
• 2No. 12 Allemande06:11
• Rameau: Pièces de clavecin (1724), Suite in D Major, RCT 3
• 3No. 1 Les Tendres Plaintes - Rondeau03:42
• 4No. 2 Les Niais de Sologne - Doubles des Niais - Autre Double05:35
• 5No. 6 L'Entretien des Muses07:49
• Royer: Pièces de clavecin, Book 1 (1746)
• 6No. 3 Les Matelots03:03
• 7No. 4 Tambourins: Premier Tambourin (Suite des Matelots) & Deuxième Tambourin01:58
• 8No. 11 Le Vertigo - Rondeau05:53
• 9No. 2 La Zaïde - Rondeau07:34
• 10No. 14 La Marche, des Scythes06:26
• Rameau: Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin (1727), Suite in A Minor, RCT 5
• 11No. 3 Sarabande04:00
• Pièces de clavecin (1724), Suite in E Minor, RCT 2
• 12No. 7 Musette en rondeau03:28
• 13No. 8 Tambourin01:12
• Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin (1727), Suite in G Major, RCT 6
• 14No. 3. Menuet I - Menuet II03:49
• 15No. 14 Les Sauvages01:54
• Royer: Pièces de clavecin, Book 1 (1746)
• 16No. 6 L'Aimable05:34
• Total Runtime01:12:20

Info for Vertigo

France’s leading young harpsichordist performs works by two masters of the French Baroque. No surprises there, perhaps … but the harpsichordist in question is Jean Rondeau and the album is called Vertigo. It conceives the harpsichord in vividly theatrical terms. Vertigo takes its name from a dramatic, rhapsodic piece by Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer, who, along with Jean-Philippe Rameau, forms the focus of this album. If Rameau (1683–1764) is the better-known composer today, especially admired for such operatic masterpieces as Hippolyte et Aricie and Platée, the younger Royer (1705–1755) was also a major figure in his time, rising to become master of music at the court of Louis XV. Both Rameau and Royer excelled in keyboard music and in works for the stage. As Jean Rondeau says: “These two illustrious composers battled for the top spot at the Opéra.” He describes them as “two magicians, two master architects, amongst the most wildly imaginative and brilliant of their era … Two composers who also tried to capture echoes of grand theatre with the palette offered by their keyboard.”

In November 2015, Rondeau was named Solo Classical Instrumentalist of the Year by the Académie Charles Cros when he received its Grand Prix, France’s most prestigious award for classical recordings. That was for his first Warner Classics album, Imagine, which he described as “an exploration of all the possibilities that lie in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and in the harpsichord.” BBC Music Magazine clearly enjoyed the discovery, saying: “Rondeau is a natural communicator, unimpeded by the imperative to score academic points ... Make no mistake – this is an auspicious debut.”

Jean Rondeau, harpsichord

Jean Rondeau
studied harpsichord with Blandine Verlet for over ten years, followed by training in basso continuo, organ, piano, jazz and improvisation, and conducting. He pursued further studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, graduating with honours, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

In 2012, at just 21 years old, he became one of the youngest performers ever to take First Prize at the International Harpsichord Competition in Bruges (MAfestival 2012), also winning the EUBO Development Trust prize; an accolade bestowed on the most promising young musician of the European Union. The same year, he claimed second place in the Prague Spring International Harpsichord Competition (64th edition of the Festival, 2012), along with a nod for the best interpretation of the contemporary piece composed specially for that contest. In 2013, he also won the Prix des Radios Francophones Publiques.

Rondeau is in demand for solo, chamber music and orchestral appearances throughout Europe and in the United States. He frequently performs with the Baroque quartet Nevermind. Quite apart from his activities as harpsichordist, he founded the ensemble Note Forget, presenting his own jazz-oriented compositions and improvisations on piano.

Rondeau is signed to Erato as an exclusive recording artist. January 2015 sees the release of his debut solo album, Imagine, dedicated to the music of J.S. Bach on harpsichord.

Booklet for Vertigo