RAMEAU Jean Philippe Traité de l’harmonie réduite à ses principes naturels ; divisé en quatre livres.

Fétis, VII, 169.

First edition of Rameau's first publication, establishing his reputation as an important musicologist for the following decades. His Traité de l'harmonie exerced a very strong influence on highly important scientists and musicians such as Euler and Tartini.

"Arriving in Paris in 1721, [Rameau] took care of the publication of his Traité de l’harmonie which appeared the following year. This work was not understood; but the criticisms that were made of it turned to the profit of its author, by fixing on him the attention of the public…The mere thought of the possibility of a scientific theory of harmony was a stroke of genius that stirred the musical world and still exerts its influence today. The Treatise on Harmony was the origin of Euler's Tentamen, and of Tartini's system; it was the modified basso continuo system that Marpurg introduced in Germany in his Manuel de la basse continue, and in the translation of d'Alembert's Élémens de musique" (see Fétis).

Very good copy, complete with the supplement bound in at end.

From the library De Farcy de Mué (signature on the title), probably Annibal François de Farcy de Mué (Rennes 1685-1751).