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Back to France, Continued

Program: #21-48   Air Date: Nov 22, 2021

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More of the music inspired by the poetry by the Comtesse de la Suze; La Reveuse performs Louis de Caix d’Hervelois; and William Christie and violinist Theotime Langlois de Swarte play violin sonatas of Senaille and Leclair.

I. Louis de Caix d’Hervelois: Dans le sillage de Marin Marais (La Rêveuse/Florence Bolton & Benjamin Perrot). Harmonia Mundi CD HMM 902352.

Louis de Caix d'Hervelois, dans le sillage de Marin Marais
 
Florence Bolton, bass and viola da gamba

Serge Saitta, traverso and small flute

Emily Audouin, bass viol

Carsten Lohff, harpsichord

Benjamin Perrot, baroque guitar and theorbo

After a first disc devoted to English music, La Rêveuse introduces us to the sound world of Louis de Caix d’Hervelois. As heir to Marin Marais and one of his most brilliant pupils, Caix brought the bass viol new prestige in an era that was gradually abandoning the instrument. This composer skilled in expressing the elegance and grace of the Enlightenment era left us a substantial and varied corpus of music, a vivid portrait gallery in which bass viol, pardessus de viole and flute shine with especial lustre
 
Suite pour viole et basse continue en sol mineur/majeur, G minor/major

I. La Bergeret   1'47

II. Le Biron   2'27

III. La Quinson   2'26

IV. Tambourin   1'06

V. La Couperin   3'43

 

Suite pour viole et basse continue en mi mineur, E mineur/e-Moll

I. Prélude   4'20

II. La Sauterelle   1'46

III. La Toute-Belle   2'34

IV. La Guitare   1'42

 

Suite pour traverso et basse continue en ré majeur, D major/D-Dur

I. Prélude   1'49

II. Allemande   2'03

III. L'Henriette   2'28

IV. Rossignol   2'25

V. Les Petits doigts   2'38

VI. La Bagatelle - La Follette   1'17

La Berg-Op-Zoom   7'37

Plainte, transcription pour théorbe de Benjamin Perrot   3'03

La la Fernay, transcription pour guitare baroque de Benjamin Perrot   2'48

 

Suite pour pardessus de viole et basse continue en sol majeur/mineur, G major/minor

I. Prélude   2'38

II. Lentement [Rondeau]   2'47

III. La Christine   1'52

IV. Gaiement et marqué [La Quinson]   1'34

 

Suite pour viole et basse continue en ré mineur/majeur, D minor/major

I. Prélude   2'52

II. Fantaisie   1'24

III. Sarabande   2'34

IV. La Senaillé   1'50

V. L'Angélique   3'00

 

II. Je m’abandonne à vous  Harmonia Mundi CD HMM 902674.75.

Je m'abandonne à vous: Airs sur des poésies de la Comtesse de la Suze
 
Marc Mauillon, baritone
Angélique Mauillon, harp
Myriam Rignol, viola da gamba 
 
With performers' increased focus on the music of the French Baroque, it's rare to find an album exploring a completely unknown repertory, but that's what's happening here, and although this is certainly a specialized release, it's of great interest to anyone. The main feature is that most of the music consists of settings of poetry by the titular Comtesse de la Suze, Henriette de Coligny. Although she chose to use it as a pen name, her Comtesse de la Suze title is more than a bit ironic, inasmuch as she obtained a kind of divorce from the Comte de la Suze at a time when such a thing was rarely done in France. The Count was her second husband; her first marriage, too, was unusual, for it was made in the name of love, and it is love that inspired Henriette as a poet, love as expressed in bold but inward strokes, with striking imagery that inspired a variety of composers. Many of the pieces, designated as chansons, come from several 17th century volumes called the Livre d'airs des différents auteurs, and the composers, except for a few who wrote the instrumental pieces, are all but unknown. Baritone Marc Mauillon contributes suitably quiet, gentle readings, and another major attraction is the variety of harps played in the continuo by his sister, Angélique Mauillon. Harmonia Mundi delivers excellent sound from a small concert space that is completely appropriate to the music; the atmosphere is intimate without being too close. One might have wished to know more about the circumstances in which this chamber music was performed, but it's highly listenable on its own terms, and for those interested in the history of literature by women, it's an absolute must.
 

CD1:

  1. Sébastien Le Camus - Je m'abandonne à vous, amoureux souvenir
  2. Sébastien Le Camus - Ah ! fuyons ce dangereux séjour
  3. Anonymous - Sans amour et sans tendresse
  4. Sébastien Le Camus - Délices des Étés, frais et sombres Bocages
  5. Sébastien Le Camus - Bois écartés, demeures sombres
  6. François Campion - J'ai juré mille fois de ne jamais aimer
  7. François Dufault - Suite en La Min: I. Allemande
  8. François Dufault - Suite en La Min: II. Courante
  9. François Dufault - Suite en La Min: III. Sarabande
  10. François Dufault - Suite en La Min: IV. Gigue
  11. Sébastien Le Camus - Laissez durer la nuit, impatiente Aurore
  12. Le Sieur de Machy - Pieces de Violle: Prélude
  13. Anonymous - Vous ne m'attirez point par vos attraits charmants
  14. Sébastien Le Camus - Vous ne m'attirez point par vos attraits charmants
  15. Sébastien Le Camus - Ah ! qui peut tranquillement attendre
  16. Bertrand de Bacilly - Qu'il est propre à se faire aimer
  17. Michel Lambert - J'ai juré mille fois de ne jamais aimer
  18. Marin Marais - Pièces à une et à deux violes, Premier livre: Prélude en Sol
  19. Sébastien Le Camus - Il n'est rien dans la vie
  20. Sébastien Le Camus - Doux printemps
  21. Henry Du Mont - Laisse-moi soupirer, importune raison

CD2:

  1. Michel Lambert - Laisse-moi soupirer, importune raison
  2. Monsieur Royer - Étoiles d'une nuit plus belle que le jour
  3. Sébastien Le Camus - Je sens au coeur un nouveau trouble
  4. François Campion - Qu'il est propre à se faire aimer
  5. Bertrand de Bacilly - Je fuyais sous ces verts ombrages
  6. Michel Lambert - J'aime, je suis aimé
  7. Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe - Chaconne en ré
  8. Bertrand de Bacilly - J'ai voulu suivre une autre Loi
  9. Sébastien Le Camus - Un Berger plus beau que le jour
  10. Sébastien Le Camus - Forêts solitaires et sombres
  11. Honoré d'Ambruis - Le doux silence de nos Bois
  12. Bertrand de Bacilly - Dans ce bocage, où brille une jeune verdure
  13. Honoré d'Ambruis, Robert Cambert - Sous ces ombrages verts, un Amant le plus tendre
  14. Bertrand de Bacilly - Savourons à longs traits cet excellent Muscat
  15. Le Sieur de Machy - Pieces de Violle: Gavotte
  16. Bertrand de Bacilly - Étoiles d'une nuit plus belle que le jour
  17. Jean-Benjamin de La Borde - Laissez durer la nuit, impatiente Aurore
  18. Jean-Baptiste Weckerlin - Sans amour et sans tendresse (Conseil d'aimer)

III. Génerations: Senaillé & Leclair (Théotime Langlois de Swarte, v./William Christie, harpsichord). Harmonia Mundi CDHAF 8905292.

Générations Product Image
 
Poised at the convergence of 18th-century French and Italian schools, Leclair and Senaillé were the French Paganinis of their day. Technically challenging yet full of poetry, rhythmically varied and always dance-like, their sonatas find two fervent advocates in Théotime Langlois de Swarte and William Christie. Transcending generational differences, the “venerated elder statesman of early music” (Opera News) and the youthful violin prodigy join forces to help us rediscover these still unjustly neglected pages.
 
From BBC Magazine: Senaillé and Leclair were composers and violin virtuosos of the same generation of late French Baroque musicians. Théotime Langlois de Swarte and William Christie, on the other hand, are not, and from their age difference of almost half a century derives the title of their recording.

Jean-Baptiste Senaillé has been ill-served in the concert hall and the studio. This splendid disc, outstandingly well recorded, makes a pleasing gesture towards remedying matters. What Senaillé and Leclair have in common is an ability to unite Italian brilliance and virtuosity with French beau chant. Both composers studied in Italy and both appeared as soloists at the Paris Concert Spirituel. The sonatas chosen here demonstrate the success with which the imitative devices of Italian writing are blended with the graceful melodies and dance rhythms of France. The ‘Corrente’ and ‘Sarabanda’ of Senaillé’s beguiling E minor Sonata afford an illuminating example of such contrasts. If Senaillé’s music is not invariably able to hold our full attention the same cannot be said of Leclair. The first movement of his A major Sonata is charged with Italian bravura and appealing melodic ideas, while the ‘Sarabanda’ yields a fragrant allure which gives way to a playful ‘Giga’. The remaining Leclair Sonata in F major is a more ambitious piece with double stopping and, in the rondeau finale extended passages of bariolage. Langlois de Swarte negotiates all with insouciant ease, enhanced by the rapport of Christie’s harpsichord playing. Just occasionally I regretted the absence of a stringed instrument in the basso continuo, but it is a small matter.

Nicholas Anderson

 

Jean-Marie Leclair (1697 - 1764): 

Sonata in E Minor, Op. 3 No. 5:

1 Leclair: Sonata in E Minor, Op. 3 No. 5: I. Gavotte. Andante grazioso 02:54

 

Jean-Baptiste Senaillé (1687 - 1730): Sonata in E Minor, Op. 4 No. 5:

2 Senaillé: Sonata in E Minor, Op. 4 No. 5: I. Largo 02:31

3 Senaillé: Sonata in E Minor, Op. 4 No. 5: II. Corrente. Allegro 02:43

4 Senaillé: Sonata in E Minor, Op. 4 No. 5: III. Sarabanda. Largo 04:00

5 Senaillé: Sonata in E Minor, Op. 4 No. 5: IV. Allegro 02:05

 

Jean-Baptiste Senaillé: Sonata in G Minor, Op. 1 No. 6:

6 Senaillé: Sonata in G Minor, Op. 1 No. 6: I. Preludio. Largo 05:54

7 Senaillé: Sonata in G Minor, Op. 1 No. 6: II. Allemanda. Allegro 01:32

8 Senaillé: Sonata in G Minor, Op. 1 No. 6: III. Adagio 01:52

9 Senaillé: Sonata in G Minor, Op. 1 No. 6: IV. Gavotta. Allegro 02:16

 

Jean-Baptiste Senaillé: Sonata in D Major, Op. 3 No. 10:

10 Senaillé: Sonata in D Major, Op. 3 No. 10: I. Adagio 03:00

11 Senaillé: Sonata in D Major, Op. 3 No. 10: II. Allemanda. Allegro 01:14

12 Senaillé: Sonata in D Major, Op. 3 No. 10: III. Gavotta. Affettuoso 04:19

13 Senaillé: Sonata in D Major, Op. 3 No. 10: IV. Allegro assai 02:12

 

Jean-Marie Leclair: Sonata in A Major, Op. 1 No. 5:

14 Leclair: Sonata in A Major, Op. 1 No. 5: I. Allegro ma non troppo 03:56

15 Leclair: Sonata in A Major, Op. 1 No. 5: II. Sarabanda. Largo 03:07

16 Leclair: Sonata in A Major, Op. 1 No. 5: III. Giga. Presto 01:44

 

Théotime Langlois de Swarte:

17 Swarte: Improvised Prelude for Solo Violin 02:11

 

Jean-Baptiste Senaillé: Sonata in C Minor, Op. 1 No. 5:

18 Senaillé: Sonata in C Minor, Op. 1 No. 5: I. Preludio. Adagio 03:18

19 Senaillé: Sonata in C Minor, Op. 1 No. 5: II. Corrente 02:23

20 Senaillé: Sonata in C Minor, Op. 1 No. 5: III. Gavotta 02:47

21 Senaillé: Sonata in C Minor, Op. 1 No. 5: IV. Giga. Allegro 1:37

 

Jean-Marie Leclair: Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 2:

22 Leclair: Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 2: I. Adagio 02:10

23 Leclair: Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 2: II. Allegro ma poco 03:39

24 Leclair: Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 2: III. Adagio 00:52

25 Leclair: Sonata in F Major, Op. 2 No. 2: IV. Allegro ma non troppo 04:07

 

 

Composer Info

Louis de Caix d’Hervelois, Sébastien Le Camus, François Campion, François Dufault, Le Sieur de Machy, Bertrand de Bacilly, Michel Lambert, Marin Marais, Henry Du Mont, Monsieur Royer, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe, Honoré d'Ambruis, Jean-Benjamin de La Borde, Jean-Baptiste Weckerlin, Jean-Marie Leclair (1697 - 1764), Jean-Baptiste Senaillé (1687 - 1730),

CD Info

Harmonia Mundi CD HMM 902352, Harmonia Mundi CDHAF 8905292 Harmonia Mundi CD HMM 902674.75, Harmonia Mundi CDHAF 8905292,