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The case for Michel-Richard Delalande and Louis XIV
In 1705 in Paris, a certain Gaspard Le Roux published a book of harpsichord pieces, Chez Foucaut Marchand a L'entrée de la rúe Saint Honoré. It consisted of seven suites containing, respectively, 7, 4, 7, 3, 7, 4, and 7 dances (i.e., allemandes, courantes, sarabandes, gavottes, gigues, menuets, passepieds and a chaconne). All were well-written for the instrument. To this symmetrical architecture were added two works: a minuet in G minor for solo harpsichord and a gigue in G major for two harpsichords. Almost all of the pieces also appear in a trio version for two melody instruments and a basso continuo, suggesting that Le Roux had experience writing for this ensemble.
Le Roux states in the preface that seeing all the faulty copies of his works circulating throughout the city made him want to engrave them correctly. Two copies of that authorized engraved version of 1705 survive, as well as a pirated edition brought out in Amsterdam several years later by the famous Dutch publisher Estienne Roger.
At first glance, nothing about this seems out of the ordinary: another 18th-century French composer writes some harpsichord music and publishes it in France. However, a deep mystery lies behind these seemingly normal activities. For one thing, we don't know if Gaspard Le Roux actually wrote these works. Even more disturbing, we don't know if LeRoux actually existed. Putting on the hat of Hercule Poirot (or Sherlock Holmes, for fans of the English detective), I will try to solve the mystery.
Early Sightings of Le Roux
The magazine Mercure Galant of March 1690 mentions an air spirituel, a translation of "Veni Creator," with the continuo by "Mr. Le Roux, Music Master." The magazine's director, Donneau de Visé, seems to have been well connected to Louis XIV. He published reprints of various sections from Mercure in a deluxe ten-volume set, Memoirs of the History of Louis le Grand, in Paris between 1697 and 1705. Louis rewarded de Visé with a pension and lodging at the Louvre. However, this does not imply that the Mercure was the official press organ of the government.
The next mention of Gaspard Le Roux is found in the Livre commode des adresses de Paris...