| Description |
Philidor, Francois Danican (1726-1795) À Paris,Chez Duchesne, Libraire, rue Saint Jacques, au-dessous de la Fontaine Saint Benoît, au Temple du Goût, 1757, Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi Francois Danican Philidor came from a talented musical family, including his parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He began his musical education while a page-boy at Versailles, where he began singing with the Royal choir of Louis XV. During this time he also learned chess. A few of his early musical compositions were performed at Versailles, although he supported himself as a young man by copying and teaching music. In 1745, stranded in the Netherlands, he played chess to make his living. British officers escorted him to London where he established his reputation as the best chess player in Europe. A decade later he returned to Versailles to apply for the position of court composer, but he was turned down because his work was considered "too Italian." Ironic, since he was known for his aggressive chess playing in the Italian school. Nevertheless, Philidor established a fairly successful career as a composer of comic opera. Eventually, however, discouraged by the greater success of others, he returned to a career at chess. |
