Rameau: Symphonies for two harpsichords / à deux clavecins

Featuring

Pierre Hantaï
Skip Sempé
Jean-Philippe Rameau

Did you know?

1/7

Composer's Artistic Vision

Rameau, the composer, often reused his harpsichord pieces in his operas, sometimes 'orchestrating' them for dramatic works.

Performer Biography

Pierre Hantaï, one of the harpsichordists on this album, studied with Gustav Leonhardt, a renowned harpsichordist, and often performs as a soloist worldwide.

Compositional Technique

Rameau published the instrumental pieces from his opera-ballet "Les Indes galantes" specifically arranged for harpsichord, often on two staves.

Historical Context

The practice of arranging operatic 'symphonies' for harpsichord was common in France since the time of Lully, a famous musician.

Performer Biography

Skip Sempé, the other harpsichordist, founded the ensemble Capriccio Stravagante in 1986 and is known for his interpretations of French classical harpsichord literature.

Composition History

Rameau, the composer, began his operatic career at age fifty with "Hippolyte et Aricie" in 1733, followed by "Les Indes galantes" in 1735.

Interpretation

The booklet suggests that to be faithful to the spirit of this music, the interpreter must appropriate it, even if it means being unfaithful to the written score.