Delphine ou Les Plaisirs Simples

This bargain box contains recordings made between 1988 and 1999 accompanied by extensive introductory material. Alongside five CDs devoted exclusively to Telemann, and almost every work for recorder that he composed, are one of music for French horn and another of music for the rarer instruments of the baroque flute family. Works by composers contemporary with the Hamburg Kapellmeister have also been included in this new selection of re-releases from the Ricercar back catalogue.

In 2015 our most recent Charpentier recording to date, La Descente dOrphée aux Enfers with young soloists and the Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble, received the Grammy Award for the »Best Opera Production« of the preceding year and Gramophones »Editors Choice.« Our new CD featuring two »mini-operas« by Charpentier again offers enthralling performances of this court music of charming dance character and elegance. In contrast to Charpentiers other operas, Les Plaisirs de Versailles is directly associated with Louis XIV.

"On reconnaît à l’enfant sa bonté naturelle, son désir de s’oublier lui-même, de se désintéresser de lui-même, de s’absorber dans autre chose. Et l’extraordinaire vitalité de son désir : à la fois son hédonisme enthousiaste, amusé, et sa dureté. Il possède une ouverture au monde que le fait de grandir met en danger. En grandissant, l’innocence naturelle est remplacée par un péché sans originalité. …

Charpentier (1643-1704) is best known for his religious works and the opera "Medée". He also wrote a number of chamber music works (instrumental and vocal) of which three were released on CD. "Les plaisiers de Versailles H.480" is described as an opera-like divertimento. Actually an opera with only one act that takes about half an hour. This work was intended for performance in Versailles within the palace to entertain the king. "Airs sur les stances du cid H.457-459" are three 'airs sérieux', songs for solo voice with basso continuo accompaniment. These airs are set on texts from Corneille's drama "Le cid". "Amor vince ogni cosa H.492" is a dramatic pastoral; a small cantata with a pastoral character for five voices that mainly function as a shepherd's chorus and comment on the events. They have not inherited their own character yet. The accompaniment is Italian as well: two violins and basso continuo. Of course, the love between shepherds and shepherdesses plays the most important role, assisted by Pan, god of the shepherds.

Jean-Marie Leclair's violin sonatas were published in four volumes between 1723 and 1743. David Plantier here presents a selection of sonatas from the final three opus numbers of the collection. The consistent quality of Leclair’s forty-eight sonatas, collected in four volumes, is admirable, whilst the collection as a whole is a monumental contribution to the repertoire and to posterity; few of Leclair’s followers were able to combine innovation in violin technique and wealth of inspiration with so much talent. Leclair’s taste, refinement, skill and refusal of all artifice enabled him to make his mark not merely on his own time but on the history of music as a whole.

Jean-Marie Leclair's violin sonatas were published in four volumes between 1723 and 1743. David Plantier here presents a selection of sonatas from the final three opus numbers of the collection. The consistent quality of Leclair’s forty-eight sonatas, collected in four volumes, is admirable, whilst the collection as a whole is a monumental contribution to the repertoire and to posterity; few of Leclair’s followers were able to combine innovation in violin technique and wealth of inspiration with so much talent. Leclair’s taste, refinement, skill and refusal of all artifice enabled him to make his mark not merely on his own time but on the history of music as a whole.