Marc-Antoine Charpentier: 3 – 7 July

[doversoul1]

Donald Macleod explores Marc-Antoine Charpentier's formative years, with the dramatic motet Le Reniement de Saint Pierre and a discourse on pleasure, "Les Plaisirs de Versailles"
[…]
Donald Macleod presents complete performances of the early Italian-influenced dramatic motet Le Reniement de Saint Pierre and the charming entertainment Les Plaisirs de Versailles, in which Conversation and Music argue as to which of them is indispensable

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08wn193

Playlist available on the schedule page.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Oh, good - some marvellous Music in store! Many thanks, dovers.

[BBMmk2]

Oh, good - some marvellous Music in store! Many thanks, dovers.

Concur! Goody goody!! be a marvellous week of French Baroque sounds!

[doversoul1]

Very enjoyable indeed. I thought Sonata for six (or was it five?) instrument played by London Baroque on today's programme was absolutely charming.

[ardcarp]

..and I especially enjoyed the two vocal items in today's fare. (Tuesday)

[MickyD]

Very enjoyable indeed. I thought Sonata for six (or was it five?) instrument played by London Baroque on today's programme was absolutely charming.

Yes it is - one of the very first CDs I bought back in the late 80s. It was coupled with some instrumental suites from theatre works by Charpentier - I haven't played it for years. Reissued and now available here for just over £3! Well worth acquiring.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Digital-Music/Charpentier-Incidental-Androm%C3%A8de-London-Baroque-Charles-Medlam/B00C44KDRU/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1499235121&sr=1-2&keywords=charpentier+london+baroque

[ardcarp]

Sonata for six (or was it five?) instruments

It was billed as for 8 instruments...but it's not built on eight independent parts. I've just listened now. Lovely piece, And the players seem to do [what is thought of as] French ornamentation, notes inegales, etc. in a very natural and unforced way. Many groups lay it on with a trowel...so much so they could make Handel or Bach sound 'French' if they wanted to (e.g. Les Arts Florissants in their recent broadcast).

[BBMmk2]

So far this week has been very enjoyable. better than watching the tennis!

[doversoul1]

If the Proms can’t do without William Christie, why can’t he bring Les Arts Florissants and perform Charpentier? This Composer of the Week is only half way through but there has been enough amazing music to fill a Prom or two even.

[MickyD]

If the Proms can’t do without William Christie, why can’t he bring Les Arts Florissants and perform Charpentier? This Composer of the Week is only half way through but there has been enough amazing music to fill a Prom or two even.

I think they are too busy with all the summer festivals in France, ds. And Paul Agnew seems to be taking over a lot of their conducting work of late.

[BBMmk2]

I think they are too busy with all the summer festivals in France, ds. And Paul Agnew seems to be taking over a lot of their conducting work of late.

I think Christie could be retiring?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think Christie could be retiring?

Ooh - I think he's actually quite outgoing.

Eye thangyew.

But what makes you say this, Bbm? He's only 72, which for conductors is "just getting the hang of it" - did you mean "retiring from working with Les Arts"?

[vinteuil]

Ooh - I think he's actually quite outgoing.

Eye thangyew.

But what makes you say this, Bbm? He's only 72, which for conductors is "just getting the hang of it" - did you mean "retiring from working with Les Arts"?

... well, he has already retired.




From the Fed -

https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/aboutthefed/2015/oa150827

.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

- I saw that as I Googled "William Christie, Retired"; apparently the first Astronomer Royal to retire (as opposed to dying in the post - erm - you know what I mean: nothing to do with Amazon's short-lived [in every sense of the word] venture into Pet Supplies) was also called William Christie.

[MickyD]

Ooh - I think he's actually quite outgoing.

Eye thangyew.

But what makes you say this, Bbm? He's only 72, which for conductors is "just getting the hang of it" - did you mean "retiring from working with Les Arts"?

I think he's probably doing what Christopher Hogwood did later on in life with his Academy of Ancient Music - taking a step back, guest directing elsewhere and allowing younger talents to take the helm of his ensemble, but returning every now and then.