New light on Jean-Philippe Rameau's biography revealed by revisions to his father's will.

Jean Rameau led a life as a 'good' father: throughout his lifetime, he put money aside in an attempt to assure his numerous children a future free from want. A study of his numerous wills and codicils nevertheless reveals the tensions that existed in the Rameau household, notably between Jean Rameau and his two surviving sons, Jean-Philippe and Claude Bernard. Yet despite this strained relationship, Jean-Philippe was in later life to adopt attitudes very close to those of his father, as a detailed study of the surviving documents will reveal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]