Pierre Danican Philidor

b Paris, 22 Aug 1681; d Versailles, 30 Aug 1731). Composer and instrumentalist, son of Jacques Danican Philidor le cadet. He began composing at an early age; a pastorale of his composition was performed at court in 1697. He was granted the inheritance of his father's post among the Grands Hautbois the same year and by 1708 when his father died was also playing for the royal chapel and among the Petits Violons. In 1716 he became a member of the chambre du roi as a viol player, where his colleagues included François Couperin and Marin Marais.