The French harpsichordist Jean Rondeau is one of the most recognisable virtuosos of this instrument. Tickets for his concerts usually sell like hot cakes. During Wratislavia Cantans will perform twice, presenting works by French Baroque composers: Jean-Philippe Rameau, François Couperin, and Joseph-Nicolas-Pancrace Royer.

The theme of migration, which is the motto of this year’s Wratislavia Cantans, has inspired Jean Rondeau to create a programme reflecting several aspects of this complex issue. The artist will present compositions written for solo harpsichord, but many of them come from operas. Staging an opera was and is a serious undertaking, and the audiences of bygone eras (who did not have recordings or streaming services at their disposal) often could not afford to listen to their favourite music at a convenient time. These pieces migrated from one genre and form to another, and music lovers with musical talents could perform them during social gatherings in salons or at courts. In this way, composers expanded the circle of recipients of their music and popularised their works, as not everyone had an opportunity or means to go to an opera performance.

Musical migrations also took place on another level. Couperin and Rameau most probably knew each other’s works and inspired each other. We know that Royer also drew inspiration from Rameau’s works. There is the issue of migration in the strict sense. The last piece in the Rondeau’s recital programme is Royer’s March of the Scythians. These warrior wanderers wandering from Iran were known for their excellent horsemanship and archery skills, as well as for their cruelty. According to the account of the Greek historian Herodotus, which should,  be treated with caution, during feasts the Scythians drank from cups prepared from the skulls of enemies they had killed. During their war escapades, this tribe even reached the territory of today’s Poland. Sadly, we do not know the authentic music of the Scythians, but the work of the French composer of the Baroque era is a thrilling and colourful vision of the Scythians’ quests.