Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre’s Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in D Minor: I. Prelude


This March, the Daily Classical Music Post will introduce you to some of the most wonderful music ever composed—and, yes, it will all be by women composers!

https://youtu.be/bVaiR0P_gOI


The French composer Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665–1729) was a child prodigy, born into a family of musicians and instrument makers. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she was encouraged to compose and perform (her main instrument was the harpsichord). She married the organist Marin de la Guerre in 1864, and spent the rest of her life teaching, composing, and performing.


In his biographical chronicle of the most famous French poets and musicians of the 18th century, Évrard Titon du Tillet placed her next to Lalande and Marais, right below Lully! That is how acclaimed and respected she was. Other writers described her as "the marvel of our century"; she even gained the patronage of Louis XIV, who supported her financially and encouraged her.


Jacquet de La Guerre did not only compose for the harpsichord; she also composed vocal music, sonatas for string instruments, ballets, and operas. It is in her harpsichord works that her true brilliance can really be heard and appreciated. (But if you are interested in hearing a large-scale work by this extraordinary composer, her "tragedie en musique" Céphale et Procris is available here: https://youtu.be/xsEepShZEPo.)


My classical music post for today is Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre’s Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in D Minor: I. Prelude.

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