Baroque

Louis-Claude d'Aquin

b. Paris, July 4, 1694
d. Paris, June 15, 1772

Biography

Under the tutelage of Marchand, the French composer and organist Louis-Claude d'Aquin was a child prodigy. He played the clavecin for King Louis XIV at age six, and by his twelfth year he was organist at St. Antoine. He became organist of St. Paul in 1727, having won the position in a competition against the illustrious Jean-Phillipe Rameau. Additionally, Louis-Claude d'Aquin served briefly as the Organist of the Royal Chapel in 1739.

D' Aquin was known for his extreme virtuosity and improvisatory skills. Though he composed very little, his noel variations represent a highpoint in French organ composition in the 18th century.

Representative Works