Dandrieu: Trois Livres de Pieces de Clavecin

- Jean-Francois Dandrieu (ca. 1682-1738) was a French Baroque composer and organist. He was a prominent figure in the musical world of Paris and held positions at several prestigious churches including the royal chapel of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois. Dandrieu composed numerous pieces for harpsichord and organ, including suites, dances, and hymns. He was also known for his improvisational skills on the keyboard. Dandrieu's music is considered to be representative of the French Baroque style, characterized by its intricate melodies and delicate ornamentation. Despite being widely renowned in his time, Dandrieu's music was largely forgotten in the centuries following his death. However, it has recently seen a resurgence of interest among musicians and musicologists.

- "Trois Livres de Pièces de Clavecin" is a collection of harpsichord pieces published in 1719 and is considered one of the most important works in the French harpsichord repertoire of the time. The collection includes a variety of dance forms, such as Allemandes, Courantes, Sarabandes, and Minuets, as well as variations and character pieces that showcase Dandrieu's skill as a composer. The pieces are characterized by their ornate and elaborate decorative elements, as well as their technical demands, which are both typical of the French Baroque style.

- Pieter-Jan Belder is one of the world’s foremost keyboard players, with an astonishing number of CD’s to his name: the complete Scarlatti Sonatas, Bach keyboard works, Rameau, Soler, Duphly, Marais, CPE Bach, Corelli, Purcell, Telemann, the complete Fitzwilliam Virginal Book…to be continued. Critics praise his versatility, his innate feeling for style, his impeccable technique: “Superb keyboard artistry and consummate technique”(MusicWeb), “alive, fresh-sounding and thoroughly engaged..” (Fanfare), “The most vital Bach performances of the moment” (Volkskrant).

- On this recording Pieter-Jan Belder plays a harpsichord by Titus Crijnen, built in 2013 after Blanchet 1733.

• Dandrieu, J F: Pièces de clavecin, Livre 1
• Dandrieu, J F: Pièces de clavecin, Livre 2
• Dandrieu, J F: Pièces de clavecin, Livre 3