Name Jean-Fery Rebel Parents Anne Nolson, Jean Rebel | Role Composer Siblings Anne Rebel | |
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Died January 2, 1747, Paris, France Similar People Marin Marais, Jean‑Baptiste Lully, Christopher Hogwood, Andre Campra, Jean‑Marie Leclair | ||
Jean Féry Rebel, 'Les Caractères de la Danse' | William Christie & Paul Agnew Master Class
Jean-Fery Rebel (18 April 1666 – 2 January 1747) was an innovative French Baroque composer and violinist.
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Biography
Rebel (pronounced "re-BEL"), a son of the singer Jean Rebel, a tenor in Louis XIV's private chapel, was a child violin prodigy. He became, at the age of eight, one of his father's most famous musical offspring. Later, he was a student of the great composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. He was a violinist, harpsichordist, conductor and composer.
By 1699, at age 33, Rebel had become first violinist of the Academie royale de musique (Royal Academy of Music) and at the Opera. He travelled to Spain in 1700. Upon his return to France in 1705, he was given a place in the prestigious ensemble known as the Vingt-quatre violons du roy. He was chosen Maitre de Musique in 1716, and also conducted the Concert Spirituel during the 1734-35 season. His most important position at court was Chamber Composer, receiving the title in 1726. Rebel served as court composer to Louis XIV and maitre de musique at the Academie, and directed the Concert spirituel.
Rebel was one of the first French musicians to compose sonatas in the Italian style. Many of his compositions are marked by striking originality that include complex counter-rhythms and audacious harmonies that were not fully appreciated by listeners of his time. His Les caracteres de la danse combined music with dance, and presented innovative metrical inventions. The work was popular and was performed in London in 1725 under the baton of George Frideric Handel. In honor of his teacher, Rebel composed Le tombeau de M. Lully (literally, "The Tomb of Monsieur Lully"; figuratively, "A Tribute to Lully"). Some of Rebel's compositions are described as choreographed "symphonies." Among his boldest original compositions is Les elemens ("The Elements") which describes the creation of the world.
His son Francois Rebel (1701-1775) also was a composer, noted violinist, and member of the "Vingt-quatre violons du roy." He co-wrote and co-directed operas with Francois Francœur.
The Rebel Baroque Orchestra, formed in 1991, was named in his honor.