Description

This recording sets out to celebrate Francois Couperin’s great achievement in Les Nations: the synthesis of the Italian and French musical styles. The performers are among the most celebrated early music instrumentalists. Harpsichordist Arthur Hass has made Baroque recordings for EMI and Harmonia Mundi; viola da gamba player Martha McGaughey was for twelve years a member of The Five Centuries Ensemble, a Parisian group specializing in contemporary as well as early music; violinist Michael Sand, a founding member of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, is the director of the Arcangeli Baroque Strings (with whom he recorded the Bach Concertos for 1, 2 & 3 Violins, a highly rated Music and Arts CD). Robert Claire received his formal training on the one-key Baroque flute as a student of Barthold Kuijken in Holland and was then a resident of France for many years where he performed and recorded with many of the most outstanding early music ensembles, including La Petite Bande, Les Arts Florissants, La Chapelle Royale and the Leonhardt Consort. Extensive program notes in French and English.

Sound Clips (MP3):

1. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Sonade

2. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Allemande

3. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Courante

4. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Seconde Courante

5. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Sarabande

6. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Gigue LourÃ?e

7. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Gavotte

8. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Rondeau

9. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- BourrÃ?e and Double

10. L’Espagnole (La visionnaire), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Passacaille

11. TreiziÃ?me concert, for 2 instruments in G major (Les GoÃ?ts rÃ?unis)- Vivement

12. TreiziÃ?me concert, for 2 instruments in G major (Les GoÃ?ts rÃ?unis)- Air- AgrÃ?ablement

13. TreiziÃ?me concert, for 2 instruments in G major (Les GoÃ?ts rÃ?unis)- Sarabande

14. TreiziÃ?me concert, for 2 instruments in G major (Les GoÃ?ts rÃ?unis)- Chaconne- LÃ?gÃ?re

15. La PiÃ?montoise (L’AstrÃ?e), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Sonade

16. La PiÃ?montoise (L’AstrÃ?e), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Allemande

17. La PiÃ?montoise (L’AstrÃ?e), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Courante

18. La PiÃ?montoise (L’AstrÃ?e), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Seconde Courante

19. La PiÃ?montoise (L’AstrÃ?e), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Sarabande

20. La PiÃ?montoise (L’AstrÃ?e), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Rondeau

21. La PiÃ?montoise (L’AstrÃ?e), for 2 violins & continuo (Les Nations)- Gigue

“Sound is superb: the instruments speak precisely but not shrilly; ambient sound bathes the whole in a gentle glow; every line is distinct. Heartily recommended.”

…Robert Haskins, American Record Guide

COUPERIN:   MUSIQUE DE CHAMBRE. The Musical Assembly. (DDD) (Robert Claire, flute; Michael sand, violin & viola da gamba; Martha McGaughey, viola da gamba & Arthur Haas, harpsichord). (DDD) UPC# 0-17685-48252-6.