Rameau: Anacreon

Alpha continues its exploration of the baroque repertoire in this recording of a transcription by Hesse of Rameau’s Surprises de l’Amour. These transcriptions (for two viols and harpsichord) cover the entire sound range of the viols.

A virtuoso viol player, Hesse was also a pupil of Marin Marais and Forqueray father, simultaneously. He achieved this feat by resorting to a false name and was exposed during a musical joust organized by the two masters, both vaunting the qualities of an outstanding pupil.

Please note the exceptional presence of two great interpreters of Rameau’s repertoire: Monique Zanetti & Stephan MacLeod.

Although Rameau’s creative career spanned six decades, he only turned to opera late in life. His dramatic output all dates from the last 30 years of his life; quite remarkably so, for as he commented: ‘I have attended the theatre since I was 12, yet I first worked for the Paris Opera when I was 50, and even then did not think myself capable.’ He wrote two scores titled Anacréon – the first has never been published, and the second (on this recording) dates from 1757. Published as an ‘Acte de ballet’, a blend of extended dance sequences and arias and vocal ensemble pieces it was also used as an introduction to Les Surprises de l’Amour when it was revived in Paris.

Recording made in 1995

‘The conjunction of convivial text and first-rate music makes for excellent entertainment … theperformance is mainly excellent.’ Gramophone