François Danican-Philidor came from an esteemed family of musicians whose name was weil known in France throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Michel Danican (probably the brother of François’s grandfather) was attributed the honorary sumame Philidor by King Louis XIV in commemoration of the acclaimed Italian oboist Filidori.

Danican-Philidor became a member of the royal court orchestra at the early age of19 and soon acquired fame as an outstanding oboist and flutist. He also published two books of flute suites. The volume contains a series of dances and dance-Iike pieces (often in the rondeau form very popular in 18th-century France) which, although loosely connected to one another, nonetheless build a unified “Suite” (translated literally = succession) thanks to their keys.

This new edition for alto recorder presents the suites transposed a minor third higher – as was customary at the beginning of the 18th century. Moreover, the figured bass has been realized and the accidentals adapted to current-day practice. All other additions are indicated.

Martin Nitz, Hamburg, Fall 1985