Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. He was successor of Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and is also considered the leading French composer for the harpsichord of his time, alongside Francois Couperin. Rameau's music is characterised by the exceptional technical knowledge of a composer who wanted above all to be renowned as a theorist of the art. Nevertheless, it is not solely addressed to the intelligence, and Rameau himself claimed, "I try to conceal art with art." Along with Francois Couperin, Rameau is one of the two masters of the French school of harpsichord music in the 18th century. There are several recordings of Rameau's complete harpsichord works. The new version by young Florentine organist and harpsichordist Simone Stella adds an interesting element to the international discography. The recording, available in HD 88.2/24, has been captured using two Sennheiser small diaphram microphones and Prism Sound pres/converters. Simone Stella is one of the leading harpsichordists and organists of Italy, his earlier recordings of the complete keyboard works of Buxtehude received uniform praise in the international press: "Gelungen und überzeugend. / Succeeded and convincing." —Klassik.com