COMPOSERS: Mondonville
LABELS: Harmonia Mundi Musique d'abord
WORKS: Pièces de clavecin avec voix ou violon, Op. 5
PERFORMER: Judith Nelson (soprano), William Christie (harpsichord), Stanley Ritchie (violin)
CATALOGUE NO: HMA 1901045 ADD Harmonia Mundi Musique dÕabord HMA 1901045 ADD 52:52 mins £ 1980
This entrancing disc, first issued in 1980, confirms the impression given by Christophe Rousset’s recent recording of the opera-ballet Les fêtes de Paphos that Mondonville’s music is well worth reviving. These experimental pieces, written for harpsichord with voice and violin accompaniment, have an airy melodic grace that is sometimes reminiscent of Vivaldi (‘Protector meus’), sometimes charmingly Gallic (‘Benefac, Domine’). Christie, Nelson and Ritchie are forceful advocates and, if the sound can be a touch overbright, the music is mostly glorious. Graham Lock
Mondonville: Pièces de clavecin avec voix ou violon, Op. 5
This entrancing disc, first issued in 1980, confirms the impression given by Christophe Rousset’s recent recording of the opera-ballet Les fêtes de Paphos that Mondonville’s music is well worth reviving. These experimental pieces, written for harpsichord with voice and violin accompaniment, have an airy melodic grace that is sometimes reminiscent of Vivaldi (‘Protector meus’), sometimes charmingly Gallic (‘Benefac, Domine’). Christie, Nelson and Ritchie are forceful advocates and, if the sound can be a touch overbright, the music is mostly glorious. Graham Lock
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:39 pm