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De Visee: La Musique De La Chambre Du Roy Vol 2 / Marchese, Ippolito, Tomadin, Staropoli
Brilliant Classics

De Visee: La Musique De La Chambre Du Roy Vol 2 / Marchese, Ippolito, Tomadin, Staropoli

$13.99

Details

Composer
DE VISEE
Artist
Staropoli, Marchese, Ippolito, Tomadin
Format
CD
Label
Brilliant Classics
Released
Sep 24, 2013
Catalog #
BRI94437
UPC
5028421944371

About



VISÉE La Musique de la Chambre du Roy, Vol. 1 • Manuel Staropoli (rcr, Baroque fl); Massimo Marchese (thb); Christiano Contadin (vdg) • BRILLIANT 94154 (55:22)


VISÉE La Musique de la Chambre du Roy, Vol. 2 • Manuel Staropoli (rcr, Baroque fl); Massimo Marchese (thb); Rosita Ippolito (vdg); Manuel Tomadin (hpd) • BRILLIANT 94437 (54:29)


After the pointed polemical exchange I recently had with two letter writers over a previous review of a disc of music by Robert de Visée (see issue 37:3 for the exchange and 37:1 for the review that prompted it), one might think I would shy away from reviewing another Visée CD anytime soon. However, these two discs arrived, and I am happy to review them. Here I will not revisit points of that controversy, except to state that on the hotly contested issues of de Visée’s conjectured birth and death dates, these two releases opt for c. 1655–1733.


Between them, these two discs present the 10 suites that comprise the composer’s third and final published compilation of his works, the Pièces de théorbe et de luth mises en partition, dessus et basse from 1716. Each suite consists of five or six movements, most commonly consisting of an allemande, courante, sarabande, gigue, and gavotte, with an initial prelude added in some instances. There are occasional substitutions: e.g., a menuet or rondeau replaces a gigue or gavotte. As the movement titles indicate, these are mostly dances of a slower, more stately character, set to music of elegant gravity and reflectiveness. The emphasis throughout is on atmosphere, not virtuoso display.


To my knowledge, these two releases constitute the first integral recording of these suites, and so they are welcome on that ground alone. That said, the music appears here in an idiosyncratic guise. As the anthology title states, these pieces were conceived by the composer for performance on the theorbo or lute; but here they are arranged for recorder and basso continuo, with (irony of ironies) the theorbo present as part of the supporting accompaniment. Of course, it was common practice for such pieces to be adapted to and played on various solo instruments; but the booklet notes rather stretch the point in ignoring the publication title and asserting instead that “in the frontispiece de Visée does not specify any particular instrument, which leaves plenty of leeway in the choice of the solo instrument.” (With more justification, they also cite an Avertissement attributed to Visée that preceded the original publication, which suggested harpsichord, viola da gamba, and violin as suitable instruments for the dessus part.)


The notes further explain that for the second CD, a harpsichord was added to the basso continuo ensemble in order to “widen the range of timbre, and thereby gratify the listener with greater variety.” For further variety, three different recorders (treble, descant, and bass) are employed, and the harpsichord gets a couple of solo turns as well. The discs also include three additional brief pieces, “Les Sylvains de Couperin,” “Entrée d’Apollon” and a Chaconne, that are performed on solo theorbo.


Whatever one makes of the issue of instrumentation, these are nonetheless stylish and winning performances in their chosen guise. While partisans of theorbo, lute, or guitar may be disappointed or chagrined, fans of the recorder and lovers of Baroque dance music in general can rejoice. The recorded sound balances all the instruments well; the booklet notes are somewhat skimpy on the composers and the works themselves, but provide extensive biographical notes on the performers along with photos. Finally, the price certainly is right; duly recommended.


FANFARE: James A. Altena

Tracklist 29 tracks

  1. 1 I. Prelude 01:15
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Prelude
    Duration
    01:15
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  2. 2 II. Allemande grave 03:32
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Allemande grave
    Duration
    03:32
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  3. 3 III. Courante 01:16
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Courante
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  4. 4 IV. Sarabande 02:39
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Sarabande
    Duration
    02:39
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  5. 5 V. Gigue gaye 01:23
    Track
    5
    Title
    V. Gigue gaye
    Duration
    01:23
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  6. 6 VI. Gavotte 00:49
    Track
    6
    Title
    VI. Gavotte
    Duration
    00:49
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  7. 7 I. Allemande 02:53
    Track
    7
    Title
    I. Allemande
    Duration
    02:53
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  8. 8 II. Courante 01:02
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Courante
    Duration
    01:02
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  9. 9 III. Sarabande 02:03
    Track
    9
    Title
    III. Sarabande
    Duration
    02:03
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  10. 10 IV. Gigue 01:22
    Track
    10
    Title
    IV. Gigue
    Duration
    01:22
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  11. 11 V. Gavotte 00:41
    Track
    11
    Title
    V. Gavotte
    Duration
    00:41
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  12. 12 VI. Bourree, "La Villageoise" 00:37
    Track
    12
    Title
    VI. Bourree, "La Villageoise"
    Duration
    00:37
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  13. 13 Entree d'Apollon (after Lully's Le triomphe de l'amour) 04:32
    Track
    13
    Title
    Entree d'Apollon (after Lully's Le triomphe de l'amour)
    Duration
    04:32
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Massimo Marchese
  14. 14 I. Allemande 02:52
    Track
    14
    Title
    I. Allemande
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  15. 15 II. Courante 01:01
    Track
    15
    Title
    II. Courante
    Duration
    01:01
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  16. 16 III. Sarabande 02:33
    Track
    16
    Title
    III. Sarabande
    Duration
    02:33
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  17. 17 IV. Gavotte 00:38
    Track
    17
    Title
    IV. Gavotte
    Duration
    00:38
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  18. 18 V. Gigue 01:09
    Track
    18
    Title
    V. Gigue
    Duration
    01:09
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  19. 19 Chaconne (version for theorbo) 03:54
    Track
    19
    Title
    Chaconne (version for theorbo)
    Duration
    03:54
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Massimo Marchese
  20. 20 I. Allemande: Gay, "La Mutine" 02:21
    Track
    20
    Title
    I. Allemande: Gay, "La Mutine"
    Duration
    02:21
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  21. 21 II. Courante 01:10
    Track
    21
    Title
    II. Courante
    Duration
    01:10
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  22. 22 III. Sarabande, "La du haut menil" 02:24
    Track
    22
    Title
    III. Sarabande, "La du haut menil"
    Duration
    02:24
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  23. 23 IV. Gigue: Grave 01:48
    Track
    23
    Title
    IV. Gigue: Grave
    Duration
    01:48
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  24. 24 V. Gavotte 01:05
    Track
    24
    Title
    V. Gavotte
    Duration
    01:05
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  25. 25 I. Allemande: Grave, "La Plainte" 03:46
    Track
    25
    Title
    I. Allemande: Grave, "La Plainte"
    Duration
    03:46
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Tomadin
  26. 26 II. Courante 01:10
    Track
    26
    Title
    II. Courante
    Duration
    01:10
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  27. 27 III. Sarabande 02:08
    Track
    27
    Title
    III. Sarabande
    Duration
    02:08
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  28. 28 IV. Gigue I 01:19
    Track
    28
    Title
    IV. Gigue I
    Duration
    01:19
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin
  29. 29 V. Gigue II 00:51
    Track
    29
    Title
    V. Gigue II
    Duration
    00:51
    Composer
    Robert de Visée
    Performer
    Manuel Staropoli, Massimo Marchese, Rosita Ippolito, Manuel Tomadin