This is a prestige issue if ever there was one, not so much for its music (though in fact this very apt coupling is not otherwise available) as for its presentation and aural glamour. Naturally DGG is proud to have its new contract with the Boston Orchestra, and the German engineers have done marvels in a new environment at capturing the characteristic Boston sound.
France, 1615: Louis XIII marries Anne of Austria, Infanta of Spain. The new queen arrives at the French court accompanied by her Spanish courtiers; French composers are inspired by the Spanish vogue and write airs de cour in this new language. Spain, 1701: Philip V marries a young princess of French descent, Maria Luisa Gabriella of Savoy. The Queen’s music master is none other than Santiago de Murcia, who - like Gaspar Sanz - tries his hand at pieces in French style in homage to his queen.