Henry Grenerin's 1680 guitar book, dedicated to the Prince de Conty, contains sixteen suites for solo guitar, three symphonies, and three airs with guitar accompaniment.
Composer Biography
Henry Grenerin became a page of the King's Music in 1641 and participated as a theorbo player in several royal ballets and operas, including Lully's Atys.
Interpretation
This album is the first recording dedicated to the music of Henry Grenerin, who has been largely absent from concert programs and musicological studies until now.
Instruments
Bruno Helstroffer performs on a baroque guitar made in 2023 by Phillipe Motet-Rio, which is a copy of an Alexandre Voboam model from 1676 Paris.
Recording & Production
This recording was made at the Château du Boschet, a castle built between 1660 and 1680 by Pierre de Lescouët, who was the grand chamberlain to Louis XIV's brother.
Composer Biography
Henry Grenerin, the composer of the suites on this album, grew up in the Tour de Nesle in Paris, a former fortification that became his family's home.
Compositional Technique
Henry Grenerin's guitar music, including the suites on this album, uses the instrument's asymmetrical tuning to create 'campanelle' effects and arpeggios, mimicking the 'sfumato' sound of lutenists.
