Ombres

J.S. Bach’s son Johann Christian arrived in London in 1762, and with his fellow composer Carl Friedrich Abel established a series of prestigious concerts that ran for 17 years. Music heard at the Bach-Abel recitals is surveyed on this intriguing album by the Swiss ensemble Les Ombres. The sprightly Quartet in D Major by J.C. Bach, two pensive pieces for bass viol by Abel, and a charmingly Mozartian Harpsichord Quintet by Johann Samuel Schröter are among the highlights, and three of Haydn’s numerous arrangements of Scottish songs are brightly sung by mezzo-soprano Fiona McGown. Les Ombres play on period instruments, imparting an extra tang to this fascinating slice of aural history.

Personne ne connaît l'étendue des pouvoirs du roi des ombres, fraîchement couronné. Certains pensent qu'il peut contrôler les ombres qui errent autour de lui et les manipuler, d'autres que les ténèbres lui murmurent les secrets de ses ennemis. Cherchant à conquérir le trône, Alessandra tente de le séduire afin de l'épouser puis de le tuer. …

Ce Concert chez la Reine, par les Ombres un jeune ensemble de musique baroque de la nouvelle génération, en résidence à Ambronay, est saisissant de réalisme dans la reconstitution historique authentique. Dès les premières secondes, j'ai eu l'impression d'être dans une salle éclairée par des bougies, entourée de dames en costumes et de marquis emperruqués Louis XV.

With this newly researched recording of Couperin's Les Nations, Les Ombres, a Baroque ensemble of the new European generation, boldly cross borders and barriers to share a vision of spiritual union beyond national divide.
Couperin was the very first composer in France to produce a trio sonata in the style of Corelli, which he composed when he was barely 22-years old. Not daring at first to declare openly his admiration for the Italian genius, he did not sign his own name to 'L’Astrée', written around 1691. It was finally published in 1726, in the collection known as 'Les Nations', where it became the opening ‘sonade’ of La Piémontoise.

Launching Ambronay Editions' 'Jeunes Ensembles' collection, Concert chez la Reine opens a window on the French Enlightenment. Les Ombres, directed by Margaux Blanchard and Sylvain Sartre, contrast masterworks by Couperin le Grand with music from Colin de Blamont, master of the Kings chamber music to Louis XV, realised from manuscripts in the Bibliothèque nationale.