Pièces de Clavecin

The French Baroque composer Jean-Philippe Rameau wrote three books of Pièces de clavecin for the harpsichord.

They were followed in 1741 by Pièces de clavecin en concerts, in which the harpsichord can either be accompanied by violin (or flute) and viola da gamba or played alone.

[1] However, a recent reexamination of the publication date, based on the residence Rameau provided in the frontispiece (Rue des deux boules aux Trois Rois), suggests an earlier date, since Rameau's residence had changed by 1728.

As a result of this and other evidence, the closest approximation for the original publication date stands between February 1726 and the summer of 1727.

A second appeared in London under the title A Collection of Lessons for the harpsichord from the printer John Walsh which was based on the earlier Parisian edition.