Stefano Bagliano & Umbra Lucis Ensemble - Boismortier: Music for Flute, Viola da Gamba and B.C. (2018) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist
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01. Ballet de village No. 1 in G Major, Op. 52: I. Gaiment
02. Ballet de village No. 1 in G Major, Op. 52: II. Gracieusement
03. Ballet de village No. 1 in G Major, Op. 52: III. Vivement
04. Ballet de village No. 1 in G Major, Op. 52: IV. Modérément
05. Ballet de village No. 1 in G Major, Op. 52: V. Mouvement de chaconne
06. Pièces de clavecin, Op. 59: I. La caverneuse
07. Pièces de clavecin, Op. 59: II. La transalpine
08. Trio Sonata No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 37: I. Allegro
09. Trio Sonata No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 37: II. Adagio
10. Trio Sonata No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 37: III. Allegro
11. Pièces de clavecin, Op. 59: III. La valétudinaire
12. Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 91: I. Sicilienne
13. Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 91: II .Gaiment
14. Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 91: III. Gracieusement
15. Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 91: IV. Gaiment
16. Suite in D Major, Op. 31: I. Prelude
17. Suite in D Major, Op. 31: II. Gavotte
18. Suite in D Major, Op. 31: III. Sarabande
19. Suite in D Major, Op. 31: IV. Courante
20. Suite in D Major, Op. 31: V. Rondeau la maiesteuse
21. Suite in D Major, Op. 31: VI. Rondeau. Le brut
22. Pièces de clavecin, Op. 59: IV. La sérénissime
23. Pièces de clavecin, Op. 59: V. La frénétique
24. Sonata No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 34: I. Adagio
25. Sonata No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 34: II. Allegro
26. Sonata No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 34: III. Largo-Allegro

As attractive as it is fluent and copious in quantity, the music of Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1682–1765) gave immense pleasure to his courtly French audiences, so lucratively that he was able, unusually for his time, to pursue a career loosened from the ties of aristocratic patronage. He embodied the 18th-century homme du monde, and his music always reflects the conviviality and refined taste that permeated every aspect of the Parisian society of the time.

This collection of Boismortier’s chamber music opens with the Ballet de village in G, op.52 no.1, published in 1752. A traditional sequence of dance movements is treated in a subtle and charming manner and concluding with a flamboyant chaconne: a stunning example of the composer’s refinement, grace and virtuoso writing for the flute which was his own instrument.

This Italian early-music ensemble then explores a more Italian side to Boismortier’s idiom with sonatas from the opp. 34, 37 and 91 collections. They alternate with excerpts from the vividly pictorial Pièces de clavecin, op.59, which capture archetypes of contemporary French society with wit and even sympathy in works such as La Valétudinaire. The music fits perfectly under the fingers: for clarity, refinement and expressive power these pieces are comparable in form and inventiveness to the keyboard music of François Couperin. Also wholly French in idiom is the Suite in D, op.31 for viola da gamba and basso continuo: its flowing and sensuous cantabile style may even be heard as a homage to Marin Marais, who had died in 1728.

This album is the latest in a series of critically acclaimed recordings made by the recorder and flute player and director Stefano Bagliano. Previous Brilliant Classics albums have included concertos and sonatas by Quantz (BC95386), praised by MusicWeb International as ‘an excellent recording to become acquainted with Quantz…one might consider getting hold of other recordings of Bagliano after having been left spellbound by his rendering.’

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