Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian, the countertenor on this album, is a laureate of the HSBC Award at the Aix-en-Provence Festival and has performed at major venues like La Scala Milan and the Moscow Bolshoi.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album's concept is to feature Henry Purcell alongside his contemporaries, including teachers and disciples, to showcase the richness of the music that influenced him.
Compositional Technique
Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian, the countertenor, has a strong preference for Purcell's airs that use a 'ground bass' (basse obstinée), which he finds gives the music a unique, contemporary 'groove'.
Performer Biography
Le Consort, a baroque chamber ensemble co-directed by harpsichordist Justin Taylor and violinists Théotime Langlois de Swarte and Sophie de Bardonnèche, won First Prize and the Audience Prize at the Loire Valley International Early Music Competition in 2017.
Instruments
The violin played by Théotime Langlois de Swarte is a Carlo Bergonzi from 1733, and Sophie de Bardonnèche plays an Andrea Guarneri violin from 1680.
Recording & Production
This album is Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian's first solo recital recording.
You might also enjoy...
Music for a While - Improvisations on Purcell
Purcell: Purcell Miscellany
Clair obscur dans le sillage du Caravage (Ombres et lumières dans la musique italienne du XVIIe siècle)
Nuit à Venise
Telemann: Cantatas
Enchanted Forest
Purcell: Victorious Love
Handel Edition Volume 3 - L'Allegro, Il Penseroso ed il Moderato, Tamerlano, Alcina, Il Pastor Fido, Terpsichore
Vivaldi: Concerti e Trii con mandolino e liuto
Vivaldi: Nisi Dominus; Concerto for Strings & Continuo in F etc.
