Philidor, Anne (EN)

Philidor, Danican Philidor, born Danican, Anne, *11 April 1681 Paris, †8 October 1728 Paris, French composer and instrumentalist, son of André. He played the flute successively in several royal ensembles: from 1698 in the Grands Hautbois du Roi, in 1704 in the Musique de la Chapelle, and in 1712 in the Petits Violons, which belonged to the Musique de la Chambre. He was the originator of the Concert Spirituel (1725), which promoted instrumental music as well as sacred vocal repertoire. In 1727 he also initiated the Concerts Français, in which secular works were performed, mainly French cantatas.

Literature: E.H. Fellowes The Philidor Manuscripts, “Music and Letters” XII, 1931; F. Waquet Philidor l’aîné, “Revue de Musicologie” LXVI, 1980; J.-F. and N. Dupont-Danican Philidor Les Philidor. Une dynastie de musiciens, Paris 1995; N. Dupont-Danican Philidor Les Philidor. Répertoire des oeuvres, généalogie, bibliographie, Paris 1997.