Jean-Féry Rebel

Biography

Born: April 18, 1666; Paris, France   Died: January 2, 1747; Paris, France  
A leading composer of the fascinatingly ingrown French Baroque, Jean-Baptiste-Féry Rebel was, comparatively speaking, a musical progressive. He was baptized on April 18, 1666 into a musical Parisian family. His father, Jean Rebel, was a singer and probably a dancer in the court of Louis XIV, and his uncle was one of the King¹s chamber musicians. His elder sister Anne-Renée was also a singer (who married Michel-Richard de Lalande), and his younger Read more half-brother was a musician to the Prince of Monaco. Jean-Féry was the most famous of Jean¹s children. No doubt he was educated in music by his family.

By the age of eight he was taken to play violin before the King and his favorite composer, Lully, who were amazed at his abilities. It is also said that Lully played through and praised his first attempt at an opera. Rebel became a first violinist at the Académie Royale de Musique. In 1700 he was selected to join a group of musicians sent by the Count of Ayen to entertain at the wedding of Philip of Anjou in Spain, and five years later he was appointed a member of the select orchestra known as the Vingt-quatre violons du roi--The Twenty-Four Violins of the King.

He was also awarded the right to inherit the position of chamber composer for the king, which was held by his brother-in-law de Lalande, and did in fact assume it on de Lalande¹s death in 1718. He became the administrator of the Twenty-Four Violins, and often presided over larger groups that were sometimes employed for special occasions and ceremonies. In addition to his skill as a violinist, he was also a respected harpsichordist, and often played the continuo part in concerts of the Royal Académie. He became its maître de musique in 1716. In 1734 and 1735 he served as conductor for the leading Parisian concert series known as the Concerts Spirituels. After that he retired from active musical life. He died in Paris on January 2, 1747.

During his long life Rebel kept up with changes in musical style, and took note of the new instrumental genres emerging from Italy. He wrote mostly small vocal works up to about 1708. He then turned to chamber music, writing generally graceful pieces without extremely virtuosic demands. During this period he began writing string sonatas, making him one of the first French composers to do so.

In the final part of his career the wrote works he called "symphonies," which are actually works written to be choreographed and danced. Prince Carignan (Victor-Amadée of Savoy) coaxed him out of retirement in 1737 to write his most noteworthy composition, "Les Elemens" (The Elements). It begins with a striking idea, the playing of all the notes of the harmonic D minor scale. This, Rebel explained, was a representation of chaos. The music coalesces into a single tone, representing Earth. Each of the other three traditional elements has its own motive, and the entire work is organized around them.

In 1740 Rebel's son François conducted a retrospective concert of his father¹s work. He was considered an innovator in instrumental style and praised during his lifetime for having a good mixture of Italian fire and French tastefulness. Read less

Featured Jean-Féry Rebel CDs & DVDs:

Vivaldi: 4 Seasons; Rebel: Elements / Seiler, Akademie Fur Alte Musik Berlin
Vivaldi: 4 Seasons; Rebel: Elements / Seiler, Akademie Fur Alte Musik Berlin
Release Date: 01/13/2015   Label: Harmonia Mundi  
Catalog: 2902061   Number of Discs: 1
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Browse 1-25 of 34 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Vivaldi: 4 Seasons; Rebel: Elements / Seiler, Akademie Fur Alte Musik Berlin
    Vivaldi: 4 Seasons; Rebel: Elements / Seiler, Akademie Fur Alte Musik Berlin
    Label: Harmonia Mundi   Catalog: 2902061 Release Date: 01/13/2015   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi,  Jean-Féry Rebel
    Performer:  Midori Seiler
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy for Ancient Music Berlin
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  • 2.
    Le Parnasse Français / Goebel, Musica Antiqua Köln
    Le Parnasse Français / Goebel, Musica Antiqua Köln
    Label: Archiv Produktion (Dg)   Catalog: 415298 Release Date: 12/04/2014   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Marie Leclair,  Michel Corrette,  Michel Blavet,  François Couperin  ... 
    Conductor:  Reinhard Goebel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Musica Antiqua Cologne
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  • 3.
    L'Oiseau-Lyre - The Baroque Era
    L'Oiseau-Lyre - The Baroque Era
    Label: Decca   Catalog: 002072902 Release Date: 06/17/2014   Number of Discs: 50
    Composer:  Thomas Augustine Arne,  William Boyce,  John Blow,  Henry Purcell  ... 
    Performer:  Catherine Bott,  Libby Crabtree,  Michael George,  Emma Kirkby  ... 
    Conductor:  Christopher Hogwood,  Philip Pickett,  Joshua Rifkin,  Christophe Rousset  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of Ancient Music,  Westminster Abbey School Choristers Choir,  New London Consort Orchestra  ... 
    CD: $188.99
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  • 4.
    Rebel: Les Elemens Suite; Rameau: Castor Et Pollux Suite / Gaigg, L'orfeo Baroque Orchestra
    Rebel: Les Elemens Suite; Rameau: Castor Et Pollux Suite / Gaigg, L'orfeo Baroque Orchestra
    Label: Cpo   Catalog: 777914 Release Date: 06/10/2014   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Jean-Philippe Rameau
    Conductor:  Michi Gaigg
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  L'Orfeo Baroque Orchestra
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  • 5.
    The Musicians' Table
    The Musicians' Table
    Label: Abc Classics   Catalog: 766996 Release Date: 05/27/2014   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Pierre Danican Philidor,  Joseph Bodin de Boismortier,  Louis-Gabriel Guillemain,  Jean-Féry Rebel
    Performer:  Paul Wright,  Suzanne Wijsman,  Noeleen Wright,  Sophie Gent
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Ensemble Battistin
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  • 6.
    Couperin: Les Nations; Rebel: Les Caracteres De La Danse / Florilegium
    Couperin: Les Nations; Rebel: Les Caracteres De La Danse / Florilegium
    Label: Channel Classics   Catalog: 33213 Release Date: 02/11/2014   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  François Couperin,  Jean-Féry Rebel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Florilegium Ensemble
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  • 7.
    Rebel De Pere En Fils: Jean-fery Rebel & Francois Rebel
    Rebel De Pere En Fils: Jean-fery Rebel & Francois Rebel
    Label: Ambronay   Catalog: 303 Release Date: 01/14/2014   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Francois Rebel
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Les Surprises
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  • 8.
    Grand Tour / Trio Settecento
    Grand Tour / Trio Settecento
    Label: Cedille Records   Catalog: 1002 Release Date: 10/29/2013   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Dario Castello,  Alessandro Stradella,  Biagio Marini,  Arcangelo Corelli  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Trio Settecento
    CD: $34.99
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  • 9.
    Portrait / Amandine Beyer
    Portrait / Amandine Beyer
    Label: Zig Zag   Catalog: 325 Release Date: 07/30/2013   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Nicola Matteis,  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Robert de Visée,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach  ... 
    Performer:  Amandine Beyer,  Marianne Muller [Viola da Gamba],  Pascal Monteilhet,  Edna Stern
    Conductor:  Amandine Beyer
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Gli Incogniti,  L'Assemblée des Honnestes Curieux
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  • 10.
    Myths & Allegories
    Label: Les Délices   Catalog: 5638027287 Release Date: 11/10/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Thomas-Louis Bourgeois,  Michel Monteclair,  E. Jacquet de La Guerre
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Les Délices
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  • 11.
    A Portrait - La Petite Band / Kuijken
    A Portrait - La Petite Band / Kuijken
    Label: Accent   Catalog: 24271 Release Date: 07/24/2012   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Jean-Baptiste Lully,  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Jean-Philippe Rameau,  Antonio Vivaldi  ... 
    Performer:  Howard Crook,  Sigiswald Kuijken,  Ewald Demeyere
    Conductor:  Sigiswald Kuijken
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  La Petite Bande
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  • 12.
    A French Soiree / Trio Settecento
    A French Soiree / Trio Settecento
    Label: Cedille Records   Catalog: 129 Release Date: 11/15/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Baptiste Lully,  François Couperin,  Marin Marais,  Jean-Féry Rebel  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Trio Settecento
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  • 13.
    Rebel, Destouches: Les Elemens / Hogwood, Academy Of Ancient Music
    Rebel, Destouches: Les Elemens / Hogwood, Academy Of Ancient Music
    Label: L'oiseau Lyre   Catalog: 421656 Release Date: 10/04/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Andre Destouches
    Conductor:  Christopher Hogwood
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of Ancient Music
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  • 14.
    Vivaldi: 4 Seasons; Rebel: Elements / Seiler, AAM Berlin
    Vivaldi: 4 Seasons; Rebel: Elements / Seiler, AAM Berlin
    Label: Harmonia Mundi   Catalog: 902061 Release Date: 03/09/2010   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Vivaldi,  Jean-Féry Rebel
    Performer:  Midori Seiler
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy for Ancient Music Berlin
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  • 15.
    The Art Of The Violin / Andrew Manze
    The Art Of The Violin / Andrew Manze
    Label: Harmonia Mundi   Catalog: 2907541 Release Date: 11/10/2009   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Antonio Vivaldi,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Arcangelo Corelli
    Performer:  Richard Egarr,  Andrew Manze,  Jaap ter Linden,  Nigel North  ... 
    Conductor:  Andrew Manze
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of Ancient Music,  English Concert
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  • 16.
    Le Berger Poete - Suites & Sonates Pour Flute & Musette / Les Musiciens De Saint-julien
    Le Berger Poete - Suites & Sonates Pour Flute & Musette / Les Musiciens De Saint-julien
    Label: Alpha Productions   Catalog: 148 Release Date: 08/11/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Philippe Dugué,  Nicolas Chédeville,  Pierre Danican Philidor,  Jean-Féry Rebel  ... 
    Performer:  François Lazarevitch
    Conductor:  François Lazarevitch
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien
    CD: $18.99
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  • 17.
    The Original Sound Volume 2 / Christopher Hogwood
    The Original Sound Volume 2 / Christopher Hogwood
    Label: L'oiseau Lyre   Catalog: 443267 Release Date: 06/05/2009   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Thomas Augustine Arne,  Georg Philipp Telemann,  Jean-Féry Rebel,  George Frideric Handel  ... 
    Performer:  Stephen Preston,  Clare Shanks,  Monica Huggett,  Christopher Hogwood  ... 
    Conductor:  Christopher Hogwood
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of Ancient Music,  Winchester College Chapel Choir,  Winchester Cathedral Choir
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  • 18.
    Rebel: Les Plaisirs Champetres, Etc / Cuiller, Arion
    Rebel: Les Plaisirs Champetres, Etc / Cuiller, Arion
    Label: Early-music.com   Catalog: 7765 Release Date: 04/28/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel
    Conductor:  Daniel Cuiller
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Arion
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  • 19.
    Les Caracteres De La Danse
    Label: Raum Klang   Catalog: 27044 Release Date: 09/19/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Henry Purcell,  Arcangelo Corelli,  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Tomaso Albinoni  ... 
    Performer:  Alfredo Bernardini
    Conductor:  Alfredo Bernardini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Harmony of Nations Baroque Orchestra
    CD: $19.99
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  • 20.
    Ballets San Paroles - Rebel / Pratum Integrum Orchestra
    Ballets San Paroles - Rebel / Pratum Integrum Orchestra
    Label: Caro Mitis   Catalog: 52005 Release Date: 08/12/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel
    Performer:  Pavel Serbin
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Pratum Integrum Orchestra
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  • 21.
    [the Versailles Collection] - The Sun King's Paradise & Les Elemens / Palladian Ensemble
    [the Versailles Collection] - The Sun King's Paradise & Les Elemens / Palladian Ensemble
    Label: Linn Records   Catalog: 323 Release Date: 08/01/2008   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Marin Marais,  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Estienne Le Moine
    Performer:  Susanne Heinrich,  William Carter,  Rachel Podger,  Pamela Thorby
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Palladian Ensemble
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  • 22.
    Rebel: Complete Trio Sonatas / Ensemble Rebel
    Rebel: Complete Trio Sonatas / Ensemble Rebel
    Label: Dhm Deutsche Harmonia Mundi   Catalog: 77382 Release Date: 01/07/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel
    Performer:  Karen Marie Marmer,  Gail Ann Schroeder,  Pieter Dirksen,  Jörg-Michael Schwarz
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Ensemble Rebel
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  • 23.
    Celebration - 10 Years Of Zig-zag Territoires
    Celebration - 10 Years Of Zig-zag Territoires
    Label: Zig Zag   Catalog: 3071001 Release Date: 10/09/2007   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Claudio Monteverdi,  Giovanni Bononcini  ... 
    Performer:  Ulrich Hübner,  Frank Theuns,  Marjan de Haer,  Yoko Kaneko  ... 
    Conductor:  Jos van Immerseel,  Françoise Lasserre,  Chiara Banchini
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Assemblées des Honnestes Curieux,  Anima Eterna Orchestra,  Akademia Ensemble  ... 
    CD: $37.49
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  • 24.
    Rebel, Destouches: Les Élémens / Christopher Hogwood, Et Al
    Rebel, Destouches: Les Élémens / Christopher Hogwood, Et Al
    Label: L'oiseau Lyre   Catalog: 001002702 Release Date: 10/09/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Jean-Féry Rebel,  Andre Destouches
    Conductor:  Christopher Hogwood
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Academy of Ancient Music
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  • 25.
    Journey - A Baroque Sampler / Les Boréades
    Journey - A Baroque Sampler / Les Boréades
    Label: Atma Classique   Catalog: 1037 Release Date: 04/03/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Henry Purcell,  Pier Francesco Cavalli,  Georg Philipp Telemann,  Giovanni Antonio Pandolfi  ... 
    Performer:  Francis Colpron
    Conductor:  Francis Colpron
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Les Boréades Montreal
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