Described by the Washington Post as “one of the most natural performers you’ll hear on a classical music stage these days”, Jean Rondeau is a true ambassador for his instrument throughout the world (Europe, Japan, USA, Canada, among others). His exceptional talent and approach to the harpsichord repertoire have won him critical acclaim, making him one of today’s leading harpsichordists.
Jean Rondeau records for the Erato label, with whom he has released several albums featuring early music. The last of these, Gradus Ad Parnassum (2023), was described by Gramophone as a “triumph”, with Rondeau’s playing described as “quietly audacious” in the New York Times. His previous album, featuring J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations, was described as “spellbinding” by Gramophone, and awarded five stars by BBC Music Magazine. His recording of Scarlatti sonatas won the Diapason d’Or de l’Année in 2019. Barricades (2020), recorded with Thomas Dunford, is also critically acclaimed.
Jean Rondeau is a pianist as well as a conductor and composer, and a founding member of the Quatuor Nevermind, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. He regularly shares the stage with his long-time partners, cellist Nicolas Altstaedt and lutenist Thomas Dunford.
Jean Rondeau studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, then perfected his skills in continuo, organ, piano, jazz and improvisation, as well as conducting. He completed his musical training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 2012, at the age of 21, he became one of the youngest performers to win first prize at the Bruges International Harpsichord Competition (MAfestival 2012).
Described by the Washington Post as “one of the most natural performers you’ll hear on a classical music stage today”, Jean Rondeau is a true ambassador for his instrument. His exceptional talent and approach to the harpsichord repertoire have won him critical acclaim, making him one of today’s leading harpsichordists.
Following a world tour of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations during the previous season, Jean Rondeau continues to perform this masterpiece in 2023/24 with summer performances at La Roque d’Antheron and the Festival de Saintes, as well as at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and the Konzerthaus Dortmund. He also performs the Goldberg Variations with his new solo program Gradus Ad Parnassum on tour in Japan in October, including at Bunka-Kaikan Recital Hall and Sapporo Concert Hall, following the release of the eponymous album by Erato in 2023. A North American tour follows in November, including performances at Princeton’s prestigious University Concert Series, the University of California Berkeley, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Montreal. Another highlight of the season is the 10th anniversary of the “Nevermind” ensemble, of which Jean Rondeau is a founding member. This autumn, the baroque quartet will be performing a program by Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre at the Philharmonie de Paris, Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. He also reunites with long-time partners Nicolas Altstaedt at Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin and Thomas Dunford at Wigmore Hall.
Upcoming seasons also include performances of UNDR, a new creation inspired by the Goldberg Variations and composed by Jean Rondeau in collaboration with percussionist and drummer Tancrède Kummer. The world premiere of the work at the Grange au Lac d’Evian, described by the press as “explosive”, led directly to subsequent performances at the Konzerthaus Berlin and the Musikfest Stuttgart. UNDR represents Jean Rondeau’s latest foray into the world of composition, following his original soundtrack for Christian Schwochow’s film Paula, premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2016, and the 2018 world premiere at the BBC Proms of Eve Risser’s Furakèla, for solo harpsichord.
Jean Rondeau is signed to Erato, having recorded several albums featuring early music. His latest album Gradus Ad Parnassum (2023) was described by Gramophone as a “triumph”, with Rondeau’s playing described as “quietly audacious” in the New York Times. Her previous album featuring J. S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations was praised by critics, described as “spellbinding” by Gramophone, and awarded five stars by BBC Music Magazine. His predecessor Melancholy Grace (2021) was hailed as “moving […] varied, [et] wonderful” by the NY Times and “sublime” by Le Devoir. His first publications include his debut album Imagine (2015, winner of Classica’s Choc), Vertigo (2016, winner of the Diapason d’Or), Dynasty (2017), a recording of Scarlatti sonatas which in 2019 won the Diapason d’Or de l’Année, and Barricades (2020) recorded with Thomas Dunford, also acclaimed by the critics.
In addition to his engagements as soloist and conductor, Jean Rondeau regularly gives masterclasses around the world, notably at the Juilliard School in New York, the Gstaad Academy and the University of Hong Kong.
Jean Rondeau studied harpsichord with Blandine Verlet at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, before perfecting his skills in continuo, organ, piano, jazz and improvisation, as well as conducting. He completed his musical training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. In 2012, at the age of 21, he became one of the youngest performers to win first prize at the Bruges International Harpsichord Competition (MAfestival 2012).
