Philidor was one of a large family of musicians. His father, André Danican (c 1647-1730), was an instrumentalist at the French court and (from 1684) the king's music librarian, organizing a large collection of works (now partly in the Paris Conservatoire); he composed stage, sacred and instrumental works. His sons Jacques Danican (1657-1708) and Anne Danican (1681-1728) were also court instrumentalists. Anne Danican, composer of sacred and instrumental works, founded the Paris Concert Spirituel in 1725. Jacques's son Pierre Danican (1681-1731) was a composer and wind player at the French court.