Christophe Rousset - Rameau: Les Indes Galantes (2009)

Superbly played, stylishly interpreted, and sensitively phrased, Christophe Rousset's 2009 recording of the harpsichord suite from Rameau's Les Indes Galantes is fully satisfying. As he has shown over his more than 20 years as a performer, Rousset has an effortless but amazing technique, a method of articulation that is both lucid and yet almost legato, and a sense of rhythm and tempo that is elastic, expressive, alert, and propulsive. In his element with these colorful pieces, Rousset's performances embody all these works' manifold charms. There's majesty in the opening Ouverture, tenderness in the "Air pour la Rose," wit in the "Vivement," melancholy in the "Air pour les esclaves affricains," pomposity in the "Marche des Persans," grace in the "Air pour Zéphire," and bliss in the "Air gracieux pout les Amours." Recorded in very clear, very clean, and very, very close digital sound, this disc will be compulsory listening for anyone interested in the composer and the repertoire.