Rameau - Complete Cantatas – Cooper, New Chamber Opera Ensemble

 

Release Date: 01/19/1999 Label: Gaudeamus Number of discs: 2 Composer: Jean-Philippe Rameau Performer: New Chamber Opera Ensemble cd info/ buy

Review:

The cantata was a highly successful genre in the early 18th century. The French cantata, which should not be confused with the Italian or the German cantata, was "invented" in 1706 by the poet Jean-Baptiste Rousseau and soon taken up by many famous composers of the day, such as Montéclair, Campra, and Clérambault. Cantatas were Rameau's first contact with dramatic music. The modest forces the cantata required meant it was a genre within the reach of a composer who was still unknown. Musicologists can only guess at the dates of Rameau's six surviving cantatas, and the names of the librettists are unknown. Rameau's music is characterized by the exceptional technical knowledge of a composer who wanted above all to be renowned as a theorist of the art. Nevertheless, it is not solely addressed to the intelligence, and Rameau himself claimed, "I try to conceal art with art." The paradox of this music was that it was new, using techniques never known before, but it took place within the framework of old-fashioned forms. Rameau appeared revolutionary to the Lullyistes, disturbed by the complex harmony of his music; and reactionary to the "philosophes," who only paid attention to its content and who either would not or could not listen to the sound it made. "...The vocal soloists...bring attractive timbres, stylish ornamentation and a necessary depth of feeling to the music, and one could not want livelier or more beautiful playing from the instrumental ensemble..."--New York Times

 

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Gustav Leonhardt Edition

 

Release Date: February 17, 2009 Label: Teldec Number of discs: 21 Composer: Various composers Performer: Gustav Leonhardt cd info/ buy

Review:

Gustav Leonhardt was a major force in the movement to perform early music on period instruments. He was a keyboard player and conductor, and also a bit of a wiz in the recording studio. The Gustav Leonhardt Edition contains 21 discs of near perfect baroque music, with a heavy emphasis on harpsichord works. People insist that you can't buy happiness, but in fact you can. Of the 21 discs, eight are dedicated to concertos and chamber works by J S Bach. The other 13 CDs are a flood of joyous noises by deliciously obscure composers such as Mondonville, Kuhnau, Rosenmüller, Grigny, Scheidt, Schmelzer, Poglietti, Turini Caccini and Marini as well as more familiar names like Purcell, Frescobaldi, Rameau Scarlatti and Couperin. The greatness of this set makes it very hard to write about without seeming sycophantic. So, here's a solitary complaint: There is a very slight wavering of otherwise superb sound quality in the second disc of Bach's violin sonatas - but you can only detect it with headphones on. Nothing to get excited about, since it only lasts a few seconds. Here are some highlights: J S Bach Violin Sonatas (two discs). Totally compelling playing. Entirely unsentimental, keeping a steady hand, even in the most heart-rending moments. Repeats are always given extra injection of gusto. Oddly the violin is alone in the left channel and the harpsichord is lonely in the right. J S Bach Harpsichord Concertos (three discs). The better-known pieces alongside the lesser-spotted concertos. If you ever wondered what the Double Violin Concerto would sound like played on a harpsichord, wonder no more. Virtuoso playing from Leonhardt. Very sensitive orchestral playing. Rameau Chamber Music. Odd, fresh and fantastic stuff for harpsichord, violin, viola da gamba and a very haunting transverse flute played by Frans Brüggen. Mondonville Violin Sonatas. More flashy violin writing than in Bach's sonatas. Probably written for the composer to perform himself, showing off his nifty, dynamic playing and thrusting, dramatic writing. Froberger Keyboard Works. Mournful and very individual music. Perfectly calm dissonances played with a simple and sweet organ tone. Kuhnau Biblical Sonatas. Totally bizarre and unique organ works. These are sort of early tone poems - sonatas depicting Biblical stories that begin with Leonhardt reading quite lengthy chunks from the Old Testament (in German). There are partial translations in the booklet, just enough to give you a clue what the music is doing: "The terrible din and defiance of Goliath." Wow. Purcell Anthems and Songs. Another reminder that between 1964 and 1971 (when these recordings were made) recording technology was very sophisticated. Fabulous singing. There might well some recordings out there of individual pieces by J S Bach that are marginally better, but the quality of the performances overall is stunning. Not to mention the jaw-dropping variety of music on offer. One to cherish.- Stephen Crowe

 

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Rameau - Pieces de Clavecin - Christophe Rousset

Rameau - Pieces de Clavecin - Christophe Rousset
Keyboard | Eac, flac, cue | log, cover | 3 CD, 1.28 GB
November 8, 1991 | L'Oiseau-Lyre | RapidShare

There really aren't any serious rivals to this superb, stylish and well understood recording of Jean-Philippe Rameau's harpsichord music. If you're after a recording of Rameau's keyboard music by a performer who understands and enjoys this music, then look no further, Christophe Rousset is your man.

CD Content
Premier livre de pièces de clavecin (1706)
Pièces de clavecin (1724)
Nouvelles suites de pièces de clavecin (1728)
Les petits marteaux de M Rameau
La Dauphine (1747)
# La Coulicam, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Livri, version for harpsichord only (Pieces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Livri, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# Le Vézinet, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Laborde, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Boucon, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# L'Agaçante, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# Premier menuet, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# Deuxième menuet, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# L'Agaçante, version for harpsichord only (Pieces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Lapoplinière, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Timide, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièce de clavecin en concerts)
# Tambourins I and II, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Timide, version for harpsichord only (Pieces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Pantomime, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# L'indiscrète, for harpschord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Rameau, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Forqueray, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Cupis, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# La Marais, for harpsichord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)
# L'indiscrète, for harpschord, violin & viol (Pièces de clavecin en concerts)