Nicolas Chédeville (Serez 1705 ? Paris 1782) was the youngest of three instrumentalists from a branch of the Hotteterre family, known for its major role in the manufacturing of wind instruments as well as for its famous musicians active at the court of Versailles. Pierre Chédeville, the older, died in 1725. The two brothers Esprit-Philippe (known as ?the older? after the death of Pierre) and Nicolas (called ?the youngest?) played oboe in royal musical circles but are especially renowned as players and makers of musettes, as well as composers and arrangers for their favourite instrument. Both brothers enjoyed permanent posts as hautbois de la chambre and musettes ordinaires in the Royal Academy of Music, and Nicolas taught musette to the Royal children, and in particular to princess Victoire of France to whom he dedicated three of his works. His compositions highlight particularly well the specific resources of the musette for which he also transcribed pieces by Italian composers, including Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and La Follia.

The works of Nicolas Chédeville include collections for amateurs (a lucrative market for the composer) and pieces requiring great virtuosity. His works are divided in style, between divertissements in the French style (dances, marches, fanfares or country tunes) and sonatas in the Italian style. The works of his elder brother, Esprit-Philippe, in some ways resemble the style of the younger Nicolas but adhere more closely to the French school. As virtuosi, composers and renowned makers, the Chédeville brothers belong alongside other exceptional instrumentalists of the period such as harpsichordist Couperin and viol player Forqueray.