Jean Rondeau
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 10 CD + 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 appears 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.
www.jean-rondeau.com