London Baroque - Rameau: Pièces de clavecin en concerts (2003)

Vivaldi, Handel, Purcel, J.S. Bach and now Rameau: London Baroque is proceeding through the Baroque Masters at an impressive pace. After acclaimed recordings of the Fantazias of Purcell and Bach's trio sonatas the turn has come to Pièces de Clavecin en Concerts, Jean-Philippe Rameau's important collection of chamber music works. The title (Concert pieces for harpsichord) is actually misleading, for although the harpsichord does play an important role throughout, the violin and viola da gamba are indispensable. Here London Baroque members Ingrid Seifert, Charles Medlam and Terence Charlston again prove their almost uncanny ability to play as one. Being mainly famous for his operas and stage works, Rameau in his Pièces has created a series of character pieces of which many are portraits of friends and acquaintances of the composer. Among the titles are the names and colleagues such as Marais and Forqueray but there is also a delightful self-portrait in La Rameau. A kaleidoscopic journey through the artistic circles of Paris in 1740, which can only be recommended.