“Rameau's 1741 collection represents a major and entirely logical departure from the trio sonata and suite traditions that had held sway in Western European chamber music since the beginning of the 17th century. Rameau's textures are uniquely complex, demanding of the players a heightened awareness of their role in the musical texture at hand. These are balanced and refreshingly musical performances that will draw you back again and again to savour the gracefulness and the kaleidoscopic blending of instrumental colours they bring to the music. Pinnock's playing is lively and engaging, inspiring and inspired. His accuracy is breathtaking, his ornamentation jewellike. Podger and Manson respond with clarity and shapely phrasing, even in the hair-raising 'Tambourins' (Troisième Concert). A movement such as 'La Boucon' (Deuxième Concert) is made wonderfully languid, 'La Tim- ide' (Troisième Concert) sinuous but never oppressively so; and 'La Pantomime' (Quatrième Concert) is altogether civilised. And 'La Marais' (Cinquième Concert), which concludes the CD, reminds us how well the tone of a violin and viol can blend when produced by players of this calibre.”
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