Jean-Baptiste Loeillet of London

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Jean-Baptiste Loeillet (of London) (November 18, 1680–July 19, 1730) was a flutist, oboist, and harpsichordist who was born in Ghent, Belgium, which was then part of the Spanish Netherlands. He worked in London and died there. Little can be found regarding Loeillet, but according to the New Penguin Dictionary of Music, during the Baroque music era he wrote music for flute, recorder and other instruments and helped to popularise the flute (a new instrument compared to the recorder) in England. He was the elder brother of Jacques Loeillet, another composer of the Late Baroque music era.

In 1705, after his studies in Ghent and Paris, he moved to London and became known as John. In London, his last name was sometimes rendered as 'Lully' or 'Lullie'. The composer's works were published by Walsh in London under the name of John Loeillet.

He was successful as a player and teacher of the harpsichord. He played woodwind in the Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket[1] and held musical gatherings every week at his home. His performances were well received in London; and he was responsible for introducing Arcangelo Corelli's 12 concerti grossi to Londoners.

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[edit] Differentiation from namesake

A first cousin of the same name, and with different dates of birth and death was active as a composer in Ghent. Musicologists have argued that the reputation of this cousin has eclipsed that of his Loeillet of London.

Both Jean-Baptiste Loeillet of London and Jean-Baptiste Loeillet of Ghent are unrelated to Jean-Baptiste Lully, the French composer.

[edit] Major compositions

  • Twelve Sonatas for Recorders and Continuo
  • Sonata in D Major
  • Sonata in E minor for Recorder and Continuo
  • Courante (a moderately quick dance in triple time)

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Frans Brüggen, notes from Sonata in F Major, Hargail Music Press, (1963).

[edit] External links

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