Description

Musical London benefited greatly from the contribution of foreign musicians during the 18th century. One readily thinks of Handel, of course, but the French-born Charles François Dieupart (?after 1667– ca 1740) was not a simple onlooker amid the “throng of foreign fiddlers” about whom an Oxford critic complained around 1730 with a touch of patriotic annoyance. His contribution is far from negligible, both for the quality of his output, as exemplified by these wonderful suites, and for the influence he exerted on his contemporaries, among whom J.S. Bach was the foremost.