Jean Rondeau

Jean Rondeau studied harpsichord with Blandine Verlet for over ten years, followed by training in basso continuo, organ, piano, jazz and improvisation, and conducting. He pursued further studies at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Paris, graduating with honours, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

In 2012, at just 21 years old, he became one of the youngest performers ever to take First Prize at the International Harpsichord Competition in Bruges (MAfestival 2012), also winning the EUBO Development Trust prize; an accolade bestowed on the most promising young musician of the European Union. The same year, he claimed second place in the Prague Spring International Harpsichord Competition (64th edition of the Festival, 2012), along with a nod for the best interpretation of the contemporary piece composed specially for that contest. In 2013, he also won the Prix des Radios Francophones Publiques.

Rondeau is in demand for solo, chamber music and orchestral appearances throughout Europe and in the United States. He frequently performs with the Baroque quartet Nevermind. Quite apart from his activities as harpsichordist, he founded the ensemble Note Forget, presenting his own jazz-oriented compositions and improvisations on piano.

Rondeau is signed to Erato as an exclusive recording artist. His debut album of music by J.S. Bach, Imagine, was released in January 2015 and received the Choc de Classica and Prix Charles Cros. The second recording on Erato, Vertigo, saw Rondeau pay tribute to two Baroque composers from his native France: Jean-Philippe Rameau and Pancrace Royer. His latest album, Dynastie, explores keyboard concertos by Bach&Sons. In 2016 he composed his first original score for a film, Christian Schwochow's Paula, which premiered at the 2016 Locarno Film Festival.