Tribute to a Maestro
Variations on a theme by Jean-Philippe Rameau
Composed in 2018
Tribute to a Maestro is a tribute to Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764), one of the most important composers of the Baroque era.
This Frenchman was not only a composer, organist, harpsichordist and music educator, but also a music theorist. He published several leading books on music theory. I based this tribute on a theme from Rameau’s oeuvre, namely ‘Les Sauvages’ (The savages) from the fourth act of one of Rameau’s ballet operas, Les Indes Galantes (The courteous Indians). The work begins with two variations, after which the striking theme can be heard. A short interlude is then followed by four more variations, the last of which is composed in baroque style.