Amanda Babington, Baroque In The North - Friends in High Places (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Sonates en trio, Op. 4: No. 3 in C Major: I. Modérément
02. Sonates en trio, Op. 4: No. 3 in C Major: II. Menuet I-II
03. Sonates en trio, Op. 4: No. 3 in C Major: III. Gigue
04. Duo galants for 2 Musettes, Op. 5: No. 5 in G Major: I. Prélude
05. Duo galants for 2 Musettes, Op. 5: No. 5 in G Major: II. Rigaudon I-II
06. Duo galants for 2 Musettes, Op. 5: No. 5 in G Major: III. Rondeau I Le brunet - Rondeau II Le blondin
07. Duo galants for 2 Musettes, Op. 5: No. 5 in G Major: IV. Gigue I-II
08. Duo galants for 2 Musettes, Op. 5: No. 5 in G Major: V. Contredance
09. 6 Sonatas: No. 1 in C Major: I. Prélude
10. 6 Sonatas: No. 1 in C Major: II. Gay
11. 6 Sonatas: No. 1 in C Major: IV. Gigue
12. 6 Sonatas: No. 1 in C Major: III. Rondeau
13. 6 Sonatas for Vielle & Basso continuo, Op. 3: No. 6 in G Major: I. Allegro assai
14. 6 Sonatas for Vielle & Basso continuo, Op. 3: No. 6 in G Major: II. Andante
15. 6 Sonatas for Vielle & Basso continuo, Op. 3: No. 6 in G Major: III. Andante
16. 6 Sonatas for Vielle & Basso continuo, Op. 3: No. 6 in G Major: IV. Menuet I-II
17. Différentes pièces sans bass: Suite in G Minor: I. Allemanda
18. Différentes pièces sans bass: Suite in G Minor: II. Menuet
19. Différentes pièces sans bass: Suite in G Minor: III. Rondeau
20. Différentes pièces sans bass: Suite in G Minor: IV. Gigue
21. Amusement No. 3 in C Major: I. Rondeau (Tendrement)
22. Amusement No. 3 in C Major: II. Rondeau (Modérément detaché)
23. Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in A Minor: I. La badine sérieuse - Rondeau
24. Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in A Minor: II. La pendant d'oreille - Rondeau
25. Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in A Minor: III. La Jeanneton - Rondeau
26. Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in A Minor: IV. Les tourterelles - Rondeau
27. Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in A Minor: V. La noce d'auteuil
28. 6 Suites, Op. 27: No. 3 in G Major: I. Prélude - Lentement
29. 6 Suites, Op. 27: No. 3 in G Major: II. Les cosaques - Vivement
30. 6 Suites, Op. 27: No. 3 in G Major: III. Rondeau - Gracieusement
31. 6 Suites, Op. 27: No. 3 in G Major: IV. Menuet
32. 6 Suites, Op. 27: No. 3 in G Major: V. Rigaudon I-II
33. 6 Babioles, Op. 10: No. 2 in C Major: I. Gracieusement
34. 6 Babioles, Op. 10: No. 2 in C Major: II. Menuet I-II
35. 6 Babioles, Op. 10: No. 2 in C Major: III. Fanfare
36. 6 Babioles, Op. 10: No. 2 in C Major: IV. Sauteuse I-II
37. 6 Babioles, Op. 10: No. 2 in C Major: V. Trés lentement
38. 6 Babioles, Op. 10: No. 2 in C Major: VI. Chaconne
39. 6 Fêtes rustiques, Op. 8: No. 6 in G Major: I. Gaîment
40. 6 Fêtes rustiques, Op. 8: No. 6 in G Major: II. Gracieusement
41. 6 Fêtes rustiques, Op. 8: No. 6 in G Major: III. Gaîment

Best described as a delicate classical bagpipe, the musette’s patronage by Louis XIV meant that it became a novel plaything of composers, performers and makers seeking Royal favour. However, by the 1760s it had become an integral part of French culture and music-making, featuring in music for the theatre, court and salon, and played by amateurs and virtuosi alike. Disappearing with the French Revolution, the musette was only rediscovered during the 1960s and this album showcases the instrument’s unique sound world and virtuosity in combination with baroque flute, baroque cello and harpsichord.

Played on original instruments, the works on this album by composers such as Boismortier, Naudot and Dupuits showcase the instruments’ virtuosity. A duo by Chédeville for two musettes references the musette’s pastoral history and the harmonically exciting trios by Dugué and Naudot are offset by the beautiful simplicity of solo works by Braun and Dornel for flute and harpsichord respectively.

‘This recording is an interesting and musically compelling survey of what was written for the musette… Given that this disc includes mostly pieces that are not available on disc, it is a substantial addition to the discography, and a must for any lover of 18th-century French music. (MusicWeb International)

Baroque In The North:
Amanda Babington, musette
Claire Babington, cello
David Francis, harpsichord
Martyn Shaw, flute
Bart van Troyen, musette