François Couperin (1668-1733)
La Steinkerque, sonate en trio (ca. 1692) Ariane consolée par Bacchus, cantate (1708) La Superbe, sonate en trio (ca. 1695)
Airs choisis : « Qu’on ne me dise plus », air sérieux (1697) « Doux liens de mon cœur », air sérieux (1701) « Souvent dans le plus doux sort », air à boire (s.d.)
La Visionnaire, sonate en trio (1690)
Michel Pignolet de Montéclair (1667-1737)
L’enlèvement d’Orithie Cantate, deuxième Livre (1713)
CAST
Lysandre Châlon, Bass-baritone
Gilone Gaubert, Violin Benjamin Chénier, Violin Atsushi Sakaï, Viola da gamba
Christophe Rousset, Direction & harpsichord
“As it happens, music changed a lot at the turn of the century. Louis XIV was essentially a king in the 17th century, but he died in 1715. The last fifteen years of his reign, and thus the whole of the early 18th century, were characterised by a great liberation. In fact, the king was becoming more and more controlled by his wife Madame de Maintenon and was becoming less and less in control of his monarchy. The arts were liberated by turning to Italy for painting, sculpture and music. Everything became very Italian, although the French spirit remained very sensitive. This programme is therefore an opportunity to present the first Couperins of the late 17th and early 18th centuries alongside Montéclair, the great defender of the French cantata. Although some of the works have a hint of Italy about them, today we hear essentially French music, albeit with a touch of virtuosity, which has nothing to do with actual Roman cantata. Nonetheless, thanks to Couperin, we have a completely new texture, and we are moving away, with a great deal of respect, from Lully, who was associated with Louis XIV throughout his reign.”
– Christophe Rousset
