Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

April 18, 1666 in Paris, France

Death

:

January 2, 1747 in Paris, France

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Jean-Féry Rebel was a French Baroque composer and violinist who was born on April 18, 1666, in Paris, France. He was the son of a musician, Jean Rebel, who was a member of the royal band. Jean-Féry Rebel grew up in a musical family and received his early musical training from his father. He showed great talent as a musician from a young age and was soon recognized as a prodigy. Rebel's musical education continued under the tutelage of some of the most prominent musicians of his time. He studied with Jean-Baptiste Lully, the court composer of King Louis XIV, and later with André Danican Philidor, the director of the royal band. Rebel's training was not limited to music, as he also received a thorough education in literature, philosophy, and mathematics. Rebel's career as a musician began in earnest when he was appointed as a member of the royal band in 1689. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the director of the band in 1715. Rebel was a prolific composer, and his works were highly regarded during his lifetime. He composed music for the court, the theater, and the church, and his works were performed throughout France and Europe. One of Rebel's most famous works is his ballet Les Élémens, which was first performed in 1737. The ballet is a musical representation of the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water – and is considered one of the earliest examples of program music. The work is notable for its innovative use of harmony and orchestration, and it was highly influential on later composers. Rebel's other works include operas, cantatas, and chamber music. His operas, which were composed in the French style, were highly popular during his lifetime. His cantatas, which were written for solo voice and continuo, are notable for their expressive melodies and emotional depth. Rebel's chamber music, which includes sonatas and suites for various instruments, is characterized by its virtuosic writing and intricate counterpoint. Rebel's music was highly regarded by his contemporaries, and he was considered one of the leading composers of his time. His works were performed throughout Europe, and he was particularly popular in Germany and England. Rebel's influence can be seen in the works of later composers, including Mozart and Beethoven. Despite his success as a composer, Rebel was known for his eccentric behavior. He was known to be moody and unpredictable, and he often clashed with his colleagues. Rebel was also known for his love of gambling, and he was rumored to have lost a large sum of money in a single night. Rebel died on January 2, 1747, in Paris, France. He was 80 years old at the time of his death. Despite his eccentricities, Rebel was remembered as one of the greatest composers of his time. His music continues to be performed and recorded today, and his legacy as a pioneer of program music and an innovator in orchestration and harmony lives on.

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