The Ruckers harpsichord on this recording is said to have once belonged to Marie-Antoinette or one of her ladies-in-waiting.
Album & Artwork
The album title, 'En sol - Musique pour le Roi-Soleil,' refers to the multiple meanings of 'sol': the Latin root for 'sun,' the alchemical term for 'gold,' and the musical note G.
Historical Context
Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, used the arts, including ballet de cour, as propaganda to glorify himself and control the rebellious nobility.
Compositional Technique
The key of G minor ('sol mineur') was often used for Apollo's appearances in Lully's operas and ballets, described as 'serious and magnificent' in contemporary music theory.
Performer Biography
Rebecca Maurer, the harpsichordist, is also a performance practice consultant for a new Urtext edition of Joseph Haydn's piano sonatas for Bärenreiter.
Interpretation
The harpsichord on this recording is tuned to a 1/5-comma meantone temperament, which was described as 'the most commonly used' tuning in France in 1698.
Instruments
The harpsichord used for this recording was built by Ioannes Ruckers in Antwerp in 1632 and underwent a 'grand ravalement' (major reconstruction) in 1745.
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