Jean-Philippe Rameau

Though the harpsichord has been gradually phased out by the piano, the erstwhile instrument still holds a respectable amount of nostalgia and hearing it can trigger the flood gates of Renaissance remembrances. Considered a virtuoso on the harpsichord, French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau managed to write pieces that capitalized off the instrument's strengths. Because most of Rameau's compositions feature the harpsichord so prominently, many of his pieces are regarded by many modern classical connoisseurs as a tad kitschy.