Gaultier: La Rethorique Des Dieux

Denis Gaultier (Composer), Hopkinson Smith (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Hopkinson Smith
• Composer: Denis Gaultier
• Audio CD (September 1, 1993)
• SPARS Code: AAD
• Label: Astree
• ASIN: B0000017M3
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #556,086 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Suite I En Re Majeur: 1. Prelude

2. Suite I En Re Majeur: Pavane La Dedicace

3. Suite I En Re Majeur: Allemande Phaeton foudroye

4. Suite I En Re Majeur: Gigue Le Panegirique

5. Suite I En Re Majeur: Courante Minerve

6. Suite I En Re Majeur: Courante Ulisse

7. Suite I En Re Majeur: Sarabande

8. Suite II En La Majeur: Prelude

9. Suite II En La Majeur: Allemande grave Andromede

10. Courante Diane

11. Suite II En La Majeur: Courante La Coquette virtuosa

12. Suite II En La Majeur: Gigue

13. Suite II En La Majeur: Gigue Atalante

14. Suite II En La Majeur: Sarabande

15. Suite XII En La Mineur: Prelude

16. Suite XII En La Mineur: Pavane

17. Suite XII En La Mineur: Courante Narcisse (La Bella Tenebreuse)

18. Suite XII En La Mineur: Gigue La Pastorale

19. Suite XII En La Mineur: Courante Iunon ou La Ialouse

20. Suite XII En La Mineur: Sarabande

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gaultier Speaks Through Smith, December 14, 2000

By	Mark Haines (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Of all the recordings of French Baroque lute music, there are two that stand out as truly exceptional. Both feature Hopkinson Smith playing upon the same antique (1644) instrument and were released in the '70's on the Astree label. Sadly, one of them, "Pieces de Luth, Francois DuFaut"(E7735) is currently out of print. The other is this disc. The sublimity of this recording lies in the utter confluence of each and every aspect of it's presentation. Smith is alone in his ability to speak the language of the 17th century French lutenist/composer. He plays an excellent instrument from the precise time of these compositions, which are the apex of Gaultiers' art. The recording is essentially flawless (more fully experienced on the original analogue LP than the CD, but nevertheless...), giving us a clear window to the performance. The lute gives forth the gutty, textured, and expressive sound that Gaultier must have written for...here we have an incredible sense of experiencing the full beauty of these works. A definitive recording in every sense.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars soothing and engrossing, December 20, 2003

By A Customer

I am not an expert, but this is very beautiful music. I listen and it makes me feel at ease, and reverent. I am not religious but this music makes me feel an awe and a calm that I cannot explain. I find myself following with my mind as the music moves throught complex and lovely turns and variations on what started as a simple set of soft tones. I highly recommend this CD.