Jacques Champion de Chambonnières
Jacques Champion de Chambonnières was a French harpsichordist, dancer and composer. Born into a musical family, Chambonnières made an illustrious career as court harpsichordist in Paris and was considered by many of his contemporaries to be one of the greatest musicians in Europe. However, late in life Chambonnières gradually fell out of favor at the court and lost his position. He died in poverty, but at an advanced age, and not before publishing a number of his works. Today Chambonnières is considered one of the greatest representatives of the early French harpsichord school.
Chambonnières's only extant letter, to Christiaan Huygens. Dated 8 January 1656, it shows Chambonnières's continuing interest in making a journey to the north.
Described as "one of Chambonnières' most beautiful works and deservedly one of his most famous" by Willi Apel, the F major chaconne is seen here as preserved in the famous Bauyn manuscript.
Les pièces de clavessin [...] livre premier. Paris, 1670. (complete score)
Johann Jakob Froberger was a German Baroque composer, keyboard virtuoso, and organist. Among the most famous composers of the era, he was influential in developing the musical form of the suite of dances in his keyboard works. His harpsichord pieces are highly idiomatic and programmatic.
The fourth suite from one of the Vienna manuscripts.
One of the toccatas from the Vienna manuscripts.
Allemande faite en passant le Rhin dans une barque en grand péril. Note the 26 numbered passages with explanations of each.