(b Paris, bap. 18 April 1666; d there, 2 Jan 1747). French violinist and composer, father of François Rebel. After serving the Count of Ayen in Spain, 1700-05, he became a leading member of the French king's 24 Violons and the Académie Royale de Musique orchestra. He later held court posts including that of chamber composer (from 1726) and was active as a harpsichordist and conductor. An innovatory and esteemed composer, he wrote various vocal works, string sonatas, ‘symphonies’ for the Académie Royale dancers including Les caractères de la danse (1715), Terpsichore (1720) and the much admired Les élémens (1737), which begins with a famously alarming dissonance to represent chaos.
His father Jean (early 17th century- c1691) and sister Anne-Renée (1663-1722) were both singers at the French court.
