A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cordier, Jacques

CORDIER, Jacques, better known under the name of Bocan, born in Lorraine about 1580; dancing-master and performer on the violin and rebec in the reign of Louis XIII. He was unable to read music, but had great power of execution, and Mersennus mentions his gift of modulating the tones of the violin. He was dancing-master to Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I, and came with her to England. The King took great delight in hearing him play the violin. He returned to Paris when the Civil War broke out, and his tomb at St. Germain l'Auxerrois was restored in 1843. Chancy's 'Tablature de Mandore' (Paris, 1629), contains a graceful 'branle' by Cordier.

[ M. C. C. ]