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5.0 out of 5 stars
Rameau and his 'La Rameau', April 24, 2011
This review is from: Rameau: Pièces de clavecin en concerts (Audio CD)
This is a great Rameau-Rousset CD to be added to Christophe Rousset recording of Rameau's solo suites
Rameau: Pièces de Clavecin - Christophe Rousset and to these transcriptions
Rameau: Les Indes Galantes. Rameau's `Pièces de Concert' are trios for harpsichord, violin and viola da gamba. They were written much later (1741) than his novel works for solo harpsichord (1706, 1724 & 1728). On the reviewed CD Rousset is joined by the violinist Ryo Terakado and Kaori Uemura (viola da gamba) who make up an excellent ensemble. The harpsichord part in these Rameau's trios was written for advanced amateurs and does not require a virtuoso of Rousset's class. Four pieces are represented on the featured CD twice, since Rousset add the alternative versions of `La Livri' (track 2), `L'agaçant' (track 7), `La Timide' (track 13), `L'indiscrète `(track 20) on the solo harpsichord. His playing is as usual remarkably clear and energetic.
Rameau's `Pièces de clavecin en concert' are well-studied though there still seems to be some fuss about their mysterious or jocular names. What I wished to know about the piece called `La Rameau' (track 16) tentatively taken to be the composer's self-portrayal is not the origin of its title but its possible relationship to J.S.Bach's music. The opening phrase in this Rameau's B flat major rondo resembles the opening phrase of the 6th Brandenburg concerto in B flat, BWV 1051 (written much earlier): in both cases two string instruments (two violas with J.S.Bach, a violin and a viola da gamba with Rameau) are playing parts of the B flat major scale in triplets or quadruplets over the ostinato bass. The development is of course different. It is interesting whether this resemblance is casual or not.
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