Customer Reviews

Lully: Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme; Philidor: Le Mariage de la Grosse Cathos

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It is the spirit of the Sun King that exhales from this recording.. The smell of oranges from Le Notre's "orangeries"... the joy of having a walk with the King, during the late afternoon, and the surprise of returning back just in time to join the royal supper with the noblest people in France.. It is an entire age which comes again into life when you listen to this superb recording.. You can't but join Versailles, when you hear flaming trumpets announcing all the "grandeur" of Louis XIV's era... So, you'd better take advantage of this opportunity of turning back your clock to 1685 and joining the King in one of his faboulous days...

It takes a special person to listen to an hour of oboe band music. Although it is a rare delight to hear a complete program of French wind music, this oboist is begging for a little diversity. Why did Goodwin squander the opportunity to feature a singer in the airs, opting instead to transcribe them for oboe solo? The transcriptions are lovely but come on enough is enough. And of course Lully was famous for his string orchestra, yet there are no strings on this recording. This cd is recommended in small doses, one suite at a time! The playing is impeccably stylish, don't miss the two chaconnes.