Jean-François Dandrieu - Complete Violin & Trio Sonatas (Rie Kimura; Pieter-Jan Belder)

Information

Composer: Jean-François Dandrieu

• 6 Violin Sonatas, Op. 2
• 6 Trio Sonatas, Op. 1
• 3 Livres de Clavecin

Rie Kimura, violin

Pieter-Jan Belder, harpsichord

Musica Amphion

Date: 2026

Label: Brilliant Classics

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This recording presents world-premiere interpretations of chamber music by the French Baroque composer Jean-François Dandrieu, highlighting his synthesis of French elegance and Italian stylistic influence. Performed by harpsichordist Pieter-Jan Belder, the collection builds on his acclaimed earlier recordings of Dandrieu’s organ and harpsichord works, which established him as a leading modern interpreter of the composer’s music. The program features trio sonatas, violin sonatas, and early harpsichord pieces, originally published in the early 18th century, demonstrating Dandrieu’s assimilation of Corelli-inspired Italian forms into the expressive language of the French court. These works reveal a mature and distinctive voice that combines structural clarity, melodic refinement, and dance-inspired brevity. Together, the set deepens modern understanding of Dandrieu’s contribution to the French Baroque tradition.

Jean-François Dandrieu was a French Baroque composer, harpsichordist, and organist born in Paris in 1682 into a family of artists and musicians. A child prodigy, he performed publicly at the age of five, playing for the court of Louis XIV, which launched a distinguished career in French sacred and keyboard music. He studied with Jean-Baptiste Moreau and held important organist positions, including at Saint-Merri in Paris and later as one of the organists of the Chapelle royale. Dandrieu is especially noted for his extensive harpsichord output, which blends the elegance of the French keyboard tradition with more intricate contrapuntal writing influenced by German Baroque style. His works move beyond traditional suite structures toward expressive character pieces, reflecting broader 18th-century French stylistic trends. He also authored an influential treatise on accompaniment, contributing significantly to performance practice of his time.