A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Chambonnières, Jacques de
CHAMBONNIÈRES, Jacques Champion de, son of Jacques and grandson of Antoine Champion, took the name of Chambonnières from his wife's estate near Brie, was first harpsichord player to Louis XIV. Le Gallois, in his 'Lettre à Mdlle. Regnault' (Paris 1680), says Chambonnières excelled every performer of his day in the roundness and softness of his touch. He formed the school of harpsichord players which preceded Rameau. Among other pupils he taught Anglebert, Le Bègue, and the earlier Couperins, of which celebrated family he introduced Louis to the court. Chambonnières published two volumes of harpsichord music (Paris 1670), of which the first is in the library of the Conservatoire and the second at the Bibliothèque Nationale. These pieces are elegant, original, and correctly harmonized. He died in or soon after 1670.
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