Michel de la Barre

(1675-1743)

Michel de la Barre


French composer and flautist. A highly renowned performer, he played in the Académie Royale de Musique, the Musettes and Hautbois de Poitou and the court chamber music. His suites for two unaccompanied flutes (1709 onwards, the first of their kind in France) and flute solos and trio sonatas established a French flute style and contributed to the instrument's popularity; Italian influence shows especially in the later works. He also wrote songs and two opéra-ballets.





VIID: Chamber and Keyboard Music up to Rameau