The 'Grands Hautbois' were instruments related to Renaissance shawms and bombards, which evolved into the French cromorne around 1650 and the baroque oboe around 1670, thanks to the Hotteterre and Philidor families.
Recording & Production
This recording was made in June 2021 at the Auditorium du Conservatoire de Caen, with Jérôme Lejeune as recording and artistic director.
Historical Context
The Musique de l'Écurie, a body of musicians attached to the royal stables, was crucial for monarchic representation at the French court, providing music for ceremonies and emphasizing the image of royalty.
Album & Artwork
The cover illustration is an anonymous work after a drawing by Henri de Gissey (1621-1673), depicting a carousel given by Louis XIV.
Instruments
The 'cromorne', an instrument considered a 'new invention' in 1651, was an intermediate stage between Renaissance instruments and the later baroque oboes, featuring a lower pitch and greater range.
Composition History
André Danican Philidor, a musician of the Écurie and Chapelle and keeper of the Musique du Roi, compiled and edited much of the ceremonial music of the time, which is extensively used in this recording.
Performer Biography
The ensembles Giourdina and Syntagma Amici collaborated on this recording due to Jean-Paul Bouron and Jérémie Papasergio's shared passion for history and music.
