Anne Danican Philidor

Anne Danican Philidor (* April 11, 1681 in Paris, † October 8, 1728 ) was a French composer and court musician of the Baroque, from the dynasty of the Philidor.

He was the son of André Danican Philidor the Elder and half-brother of François -André Philidor Danican. He received his name by his godfather, the Duke Anne de Noailles.

At the age of 16, he already composed the incidental music " L' Amour vainqueur " (Victory of Love) in the form of the then-popular " Hero Pastorale ". His most famous works are the operas Diane et Endymion and Danaé.

In 1698 he was an oboist in the " Grande Ecurie du Roi " and in 1704 he succeeded his father as a member of the " Chapelle royale ".

In 1725 he founded against initial resistance of the " Académie royale ", the concerts of the Concert Spirituel, which at that time was the royal privilege to give public concerts in Paris. The initial edition was that only sacred music was allowed to be presented. Two years later he founded the "Concert français ", which brought more secular music.