Le Manuscrit de Madame Théobon

[MickyD]

Here's an interesting new release - 2 CDs from a 17th century manuscript discovered by Christophe Rousset, belonging to Madame Théobon, one of Louis XIV's mistresses.

The Aparte website says that it is the first time the sumptuous 1704 Nicolas Dumont harpsichord has been recorded. I have a recording of Davitt Moroney playing on a 1707 instrument by the same maker and it is richly sonorous, so I look forward to this release.

[ardcarp]

More from the CD info:

This manuscript, from Christophe Rousset's private collection, was discovered by him in 2004. Dedicated to a Madame de Théobon, it contains not only the essential French harpsichord pieces of the late seventeenth century, but also many transcriptions of compositions by Lully and several hitherto completely unknown preludes. Providing precious insight into the art of the harpsichordist and the musical practices of that time, these pieces are recorded here for the first time. With it's powerful but still austere sound, the Nicolas Dumont harpsichord of 1704 does them full justice.


I must admit to never having heard of this m/s. I wonder how and where Christophe Rousset discovered it?

[Mandryka]

More from the CD info:

This manuscript, from Christophe Rousset's private collection, was discovered by him in 2004. Dedicated to a Madame de Théobon, it contains not only the essential French harpsichord pieces of the late seventeenth century, but also many transcriptions of compositions by Lully and several hitherto completely unknown preludes. Providing precious insight into the art of the harpsichordist and the musical practices of that time, these pieces are recorded here for the first time. With it's powerful but still austere sound, the Nicolas Dumont harpsichord of 1704 does them full justice.


I must admit to never having heard of this m/s. I wonder how and where Christophe Rousset discovered it?

It is from a manuscript which used to belong to Lydie de Rochefort-Théobon, Louis XIV's mistress before Montespan. I just listened to one of the pieces, called Le Sommeil d'Armide -- but I've always known it in the past as Les Sourdines d'Armide. Anyway Rousset has recorded it before, on his D'Anglebert set. This new one sounds good, I mean the instrument sounds good. And the approach is calmer. That may be an inevitable consequence of aging of course.

[MickyD]

I have an excellent CD of Lully pieces transcribed by d'Anglebert recorded back in the 80s by Kenneth Gilbert.

[RichardB]

I have an excellent CD of Lully pieces transcribed by d'Anglebert recorded back in the 80s by Kenneth Gilbert.

Yes, that used to be a favourite of mine too, I haven't heard it for a long time though. There was a time in the late 1980s when I would regularly listen to harpsichord music all day, but I think I may have overdosed on it because these days I can't do that! The new Rousset recording is lined up for listening today... but, harpsichord-wise, I'm still very much occupied with Rondeau's Goldberg Variations.

[MickyD]

I've just received the Rondeau Goldbergs and am putting them aside for a session when I can hear them uninterrupted - very much looking forward to that.

I've found a fascinating video recorded by Rousset on Facebook in which he explains how he came to own that manuscript - he found it on e-bay!! For those of you who still have Facebook, here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=504033758009203

[AuntDaisy]

I've found a fascinating video recorded by Rousset on Facebook in which he explains how he came to own that manuscript - he found it on e-bay!! For those of you who still have Facebook, here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=504033758009203

Thanks MickyD that was fascinating. (I was very grateful for the subtitles, even though CR was beautifully melodic to listen to.)

[ardcarp]

I've found a fascinating video recorded by Rousset on Facebook in which he explains how he came to own that manuscript - he found it on e-bay!! For those of you who still have Facebook, here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=504033758009203

Yes, my thanks too MickyD. That's exactly what I wanted to know.

[MickyD]

You're both very welcome. I often wonder if I should quit FB, but it sometimes proves useful, such as here.
Rousset uses it regularly for his projects. I like his style of presentation.

[AuntDaisy]

"Le Manuscrit de Madame Théobon" just arrived & is playing. Magnifique!

MickyD - you're a terrible influence, keep it up

[MickyD]

"Le Manuscrit de Madame Théobon" just arrived & is playing. Magnifique!

MickyD - you're a terrible influence, keep it up

Ha ha, I'll do my best! You've beaten me to it in getting the discs, but your recommendation has got me into getting a move on. I'm sure that 1704 Dumont harpsichord sounds splendid.

[RichardB]

Yes, the instrument sounds fantastic, as does Rousset's playing. Not all of the pieces are particularly inspired, but as a collection it's quite fascinating I think. I am as it happens just outside Paris at the moment (though not in Versailles!) so found it highly suitable listening while I got on with various admin tasks today.

[AuntDaisy]

Yes, the instrument sounds fantastic, as does Rousset's playing. Not all of the pieces are particularly inspired, but as a collection it's quite fascinating I think. I am as it happens just outside Paris at the moment (though not in Versailles!) so found it highly suitable listening while I got on with various admin tasks today.

Thanks RichardB. Oh to be in Paris; very envious.

I like the way that pieces are grouped by key and that the manuscript entries are referenced.
The notes are fascinating & include harpsichord / manuscript photos - the harpsichord is a thing of beauty.

Here's a short extract from the notes - I can't help feeling sorry for the bookseller.

Madame Theobon's harpsichord manuscript score
Christophe Roussel

In 2004, a volume appeared on the Ebay platform, described as a music volume for harpsichord, edited in the eighteenth century. Merely glancing at the photos that the seller posted, it was immediately clear that it was a manuscript from the seventeenth century and not the eighteenth, which made it even more interesting. I still don't understand how I managed to acquire this unique book. But I was able to take it from a bookseller specialising in old books, whose error here surprised me.

As soon as one has such a book, one begins to skim it. The first exciting aspect of this book was its inclusion of unmeasured preludes, which were quite rare in the harpsichord repertoire. What a godsend to discover seven unpublished preludes! Then I looked over the other pieces; it was easy to recognize several famous pieces that are often included in varied seventeenth-century manuscripts for harpsichord: Chambonnieres's courante "Iris," Lebegue's gavotte, and Hardel's gavotte with Louis Couperin's double (variation).

This volume also contained a good number of keyboard transcriptions of Lully's music (34 out of 80 pieces). Harpsichordists are familiar with d'Anglebert's transcriptions, which are true models to follow in this genre, even though many manuscripts offer up other versions of these essential works from Louis XIV's era. I was thus able to recognize the most famous pieces: passacaglia and the 'Sourdines' from Armide ('Sommeil d'Armide' [CD1-20]), the Dreams from Atys, chaconnes from Phaeton, from the Bourgeois gentilhomme, and from Acis et Galatee, and the sarabande "Dieu des enters," among others.
...

[RichardB]

Thanks RichardB. Oh to be in Paris; very envious.

I'm actually in Enghien-les-Bains rather than Paris, and I've been too busy to go to town, but I might have a chance before going to the airport tomorrow if I get myself going early enough...

[MickyD]

Just in case anyone missed it a few years ago, this is another wonderful 2 CD set from Christophe Rousset playing one of my favourite French baroque composers, Jacques Duphly. Just a shame that he didn't record the whole set of pièces de claveçin - but do get hold of it! Another superb harpsichord, a 1779 Christian Kroll.