"Every soul and spirit were in his harpsichord," dramatist Alexis Piron wrote about his friend Rameau. Listeners of today are often more inclined to prefer his operas. However, there is a wealth of wit, wisdom and joy in Rameau's harpsichord works. This collection of the complete 'Pièces pour clavecin', performed by Bertrand Cuiller with his customary finesse and passion, illuminates all of the beauty and virtuosity of these works. Bertrand Cuiller devotes his recital career to the solo harpsichord repertory, with a particular penchant for the English composers William Byrd and John Bull, whose music he has recorded for Mirare and Alpha.
To celebrate their 60 years of activity, Harmonia Mundi has released 2 commemorative CD boxsets to showcase classical artists and composers. This first volume invites you to relive the highlights of the first 30 years of the label and pays tribute to the artists who built Harmonia Mundi on the heights of Saint-Michel-de-Provence, leading with a passionate quest for excellence a real revolution in the world of early music.
Discover or rediscover the masterpieces and rare gems of the baroque and classical repertoire with the greatest performers : Hervé Niquet (Richard Cœur de Lion by Grétry, The Magic Flute by Mozart, Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse by Boismortier), John Eliot Gardiner (La Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz), Vincent Dumestre (Phaéton, Cadmus et Hermione et Le Bourgeois gentilhomme by Lully, Egisto by Cavalli), Raphaël Pichon (Vespro della Beata Vergine by Monteverdi), Gaétan Jarry (Les Arts Florissans and David et Jonathas by Charpentier), Valentin Tournet (Les Indes Galantes by Rameau, Magnificat by Bach), Stéphane Fuget (Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria by Monteverdi, Grands Motets by Lully in 3 volumes), Leonardo García Alarcón (La Finta Pazza by Sacrati and The Coronation of Poppaea by Monteverdi), Olivier Latry (Mass for the Convents and Mass for the Parishes by Couperin), Jordi Savall (L’Orfeo by Monteverdi), Christophe Rousset (Psyché and Atys by Lully), Placido Domingo (The Versailles Gala), Mathias Vidal (Rameau triomphant) and Marc Minkowski (Nouvelle Symphonie by Rameau). The label has also recorded the first two French operas composed by women: Cephalus and Procris by Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre and Les Génies by Mademoiselle Duval.
Discover or rediscover the masterpieces and rare gems of the baroque and classical repertoire with the greatest performers : Hervé Niquet (Richard Cœur de Lion by Grétry, The Magic Flute by Mozart, Don Quichotte chez la Duchesse by Boismortier), John Eliot Gardiner (La Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz), Vincent Dumestre (Phaéton, Cadmus et Hermione et Le Bourgeois gentilhomme by Lully, Egisto by Cavalli), Raphaël Pichon (Vespro della Beata Vergine by Monteverdi), Gaétan Jarry (Les Arts Florissans and David et Jonathas by Charpentier), Valentin Tournet (Les Indes Galantes by Rameau, Magnificat by Bach), Stéphane Fuget (Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria by Monteverdi, Grands Motets by Lully in 3 volumes), Leonardo García Alarcón (La Finta Pazza by Sacrati and The Coronation of Poppaea by Monteverdi), Olivier Latry (Mass for the Convents and Mass for the Parishes by Couperin), Jordi Savall (L’Orfeo by Monteverdi), Christophe Rousset (Psyché and Atys by Lully), Placido Domingo (The Versailles Gala), Mathias Vidal (Rameau triomphant) and Marc Minkowski (Nouvelle Symphonie by Rameau). The label has also recorded the first two French operas composed by women: Cephalus and Procris by Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre and Les Génies by Mademoiselle Duval.
The most significant composer for the French stage between Lully and Rameau, Campra was born in Aix-en-Provence in 1660. His father, an amateur violinist, provided him with his first music lessons, and while he was a slow learner at first, he did begin to show talent, and joined the choir of St. Sauveur in 1674. At one point he nearly lost his place in the choir when he was caught giving unauthorized performances in secular theaters on the side. In August of 1681 he became the music master at the church of Ste.