Pieces de Clavecin

http://www.renaud-bray.com

http://www.renaud-bray.com

*** Résumé en anglais seulement *** The reign of Louis 15th in France lasted from 1715 until his death, in 1774. During this long age, dozens of musicians were active both in Paris and the rest of France (“La Provence”) and most of them, if not involved with aristocracy’s musical needs, had to deal with an organist position in a church, one of the very few ways to earn money as a musician. Philippe-François Véras (c. 1690-1742) was no exception to this rule. The only detail about the life of this musician from Lille can be evinced by his only surviving book of music, which he published in Paris in 1740, consisting of four Ordres for harpsichord. These Ordres, or suites, consist of several dance movements, and pieces with fancy titles, such as Le Rédiculle, La Fidelle and Les Sauvages. The style is a happy blend of the French and Italian styles, resulting in charming, galant and highly melodious music. Played on the harpsichord by Simone Pierini. Born in Rome in 1996, Pierini began studying music at the age of eight. Aged eighteen, he graduated in piano at S. Cecilia Conservatory of Music, Rome, with highest honors. He afterwards grew interest in historically informed piano practice, attending masterclasses led by Alexei Lubimov, Andreas Staier, Tobias Koch, Stefano Fiuzzi. Subsequently, his interest about histori- cal keyboards in general grew further, and he began studying harpsichord and basso continuo with such teachers as Andrea Coen and Giovanni Togni. His recordings with music by Cherubini (BC96246), the complete piano sonatas by Hélène de Montgeroult (BC96247) and the complete Piano Sonatas by Cramer were very positively received by the press. Classic FM nominated him as one of the 30 best musicians under 30 in 2024.