Biography
jean rondeau
“He internalizes the music he plays so completely that any interpretive ambivalence or miscalculation is unthinkable. The sincerity and modesty of his delivery are the keys to its power”
The Washington Post
Harpsichordist Jean Rondeau is a global ambassador for his instrument. Combining a profound respect for the past with boundary-pushing programming, Rondeau is at the forefront of the movement to bring the harpsichord into the twenty first century: as remarked by Gramophone magazine (2023), Rondeau teaches us “what a flexible and expressive medium the harpsichord can be – perhaps more than any of us had realised before”.
In 2025 – 26 Rondeau presents a groundbreaking project around the complete works of Louis Couperin. The culmination of years of intensive work, the project results in a 10CD + 1 DVD release (14 November, Warner Classics / Erato), multiple performances of Couperin’s works at venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, a Japanese tour, and Couperin “marathons” at the Philharmonie de Paris and Utrecht Early Music Festival, where he will appear as artist in residence.
Following its successful launch in the 2024/25 season, Rondeau’s improvisatory programme Sisyphus will continue to feature prominently, with performances at De Bijloke (Gent), KKL Lucerne, and Klavier Festival Ruhr. Among his other ventures into the world of new music is UNDR, a co-composition with drummer Tancrède Kummer inspired by the Goldberg Variations which was described as “explosive” after its premiere at La Grange au Lac d’Evian in 2022. Further highlights of the 2025/26 season include a visit to Carnegie Hall with the Orchestra of St Luke’s and performances of the Goldberg Variations at Bold Tendencies (London), the London Festival of Baroque Music, Konzerthaus Dortmund, and Bachfest Schaffhausen. Rondeau will collaborate with the Ricercar Ensemble at Wigmore Hall and the Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht, Nicolas Altstaedt at the Dresden Music Festival, and will tour Europe with his baroque quartet, Nevermind, presenting their recent transcription of the Goldberg Variations.
Signed to the Warner Classics / Erato label, Rondeau has recorded a number of critically acclaimed albums. Gradus Ad Parnassum (2023) was hailed “a triumph” by Gramophone and described as “quietly audacious” by the New York Times, whilst his recording of the Goldberg Variations (2022) was described by Gramophone as “mesmerising” and earned a 5‑star review from BBC Music Magazine. Earlier releases include Imagine (2015), Vertigo (2016), Dynastie: Bach Concertos (2017), Scarlatti Sonatas (2018), Barricades (2020, recorded with Thomas Dunford) and Melancholy Grace (2021).
Rondeau studied harpsichord with Blandine Verlet at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, followed by training in continuo, organ, piano, jazz, improvisation, and conducting. He completed his musical education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 2012, Rondeau became one of the youngest performers ever to take First Prize at the International Harpsichord Competition in Bruges (MAfestival 2012), aged 21.
new album out now
LOUIS COUPERIN THE COMPLETE WORKS
