Henri-Joseph Rigel was sent to Paris in 1767 to provide musical education to Mademoiselle Dupin de Francueil. Originally from Germany, he is said to have studied music with the renowned Jommelli. Settling permanently in France, he quickly achieved success. His work encompasses a wide range of genres: keyboard sonatas, string quartets, concertos, comic opera and hierodramas. His remarkable symphonies are the subject of a critical edition published by the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles.

Rigel’s three works opus XIV can be performed in two ways: as a duo for fortepiano and harpsichord, or as a quartet for fortepiano, two violins and cello. The complete set of works is published separately piece by piece in their different versions by the Éditions du Centre de musique baroque de Versailles.

These duets for harpsichord and fortepiano immerse us in the history of instrument making: firstly, by reminding us of the coexistence of these two instruments, but also through the beautiful blending of timbres, combining the crystalline sound of the harpsichord with the fuller, more dynamic sonority of the fortepiano. The movements play on characters and modes, highlighting the sonorities while maintaining a balance between the two parts. These works will foster encounters and fruitful exchanges between musicians with what were originally similar techniques. Each duet lasts between 10 and 20 minutes.