François Couperin - Pièces de Viole - 1728 - Jordi Savall, Ton Koopman, Ariane Maurette - Alia Vox AVSA 9893 (2012, originally 1976: Astrée vinyl) The Pièces de violes, François Couperin's last work is surrounded by mystique. This work was only found half a century ago. Did Couperin write these two Suites shortly after the death of his great colleague Marin Marais (1728) or were they written shortly before his departure in 1733? The fact remains that Couperin left a few more pearls. This release is a 1975 recording, the first issue of Jordi Savall on the Astrée label. A beautiful recording of two young musicians (Savall and Koopman) who have more than earned their spurs in authentic performance practice. The booklet provides a lot of background information about the work and the recording history of this little work. Platomania.nl (translated from Dutch) Savall and co play with a warmth, a passion and a sense of freedom unsurpassed since. Sunday Times Savall is the consummate master... Originally released in 1975 by Astrée, this legendary recording was the first of many milestone recordings by Jordi Savall featuring Baroque repertoire. Couperin wrote these two Suites at the end of his life when his talent was at its peak. Couperin's mastery is especially evident in the fantastic and mysterious "Pompe funèbre" movement in the second Suite. The disc, fully remastered for SACD, also features master harpsichordist Ton Koopman and is a must-have for anyone interested in Baroque music. Audiophile Audition Although still at the beginning of his career as a viol player, Savall, serenely supported by Ton Koopman, plays with consummate mastery of Couperin's style. He caresses the notes, and shapes and moulds the phrases, adding just the right amount of silence, allowing the music to breathe. However, some tempi now seems a little slow. Gramophone Magazine Handsomely packaged with excellent documentation ... his [Savall] account of the 'Sarabande grave' has all the requisite poetry and melancholy. Classical Music Magazine Jordi Savall's interpretations of the two suites, which comprise Couperin's Pièces de Viole, are free, spontaneous and sensible to the elusive nuances of what Couperin called 'le bon gout'. Early Music Today This beautiful recording, once long out-of-print, is now remastered in high definition multi-channel hybrid SACD, and is the first album made by Jordi Savall for the Astrée label, now reissued on Alia Vox. With this rare 1975 disc, Savall confirmed François Couperin as a master composer for viola da gamba with affinities to the previous masters of French music. On the recording Mr. Savall plays an authentic 7-string bass viol, anonymously constructed in 17th century France. He is joined by musicians Ton Koopman playing a Gilbert des Ruisseaux harpsichord built in the late 17th century and Ariane Maurette playing a Barak Norman bass viol constructed in London in 1697. Couperin’s music for these colorful instruments is marvelous, contemplative and beguiling. The highly collectible album, a must-have of the Savall oeuvre, is now available again and features a very informative booklet. Arkivmusic.com It is often in a composer's later years such as Beethoven's that one can find the summation of the man and his passionate pursuits into further unexplored musical domains. Couperin was such a composer and this piece is one of his treasures which he composed in the contemplation of a retired life reflecting on the heritage left to him by Lully, Marais, and his other influences for the viola. Couperin returning to the viola in his older age ironcially parallels the life of the instrument he used as the viola too was nearing its end and being abandoned for the cello. More reserved and methodical than the freely emotive styles of his predecessors such as Marais, Couperin's viola suites are most charming in their executions. The last movement 'La Chemise Blanche' is probably the nicest of all the pieces in conveying the reflective mood of the work. What is even more charming is Jordi Savall performing them as he is the foremost virtuoso of the viola da gamba and an accomplished conductor for French Baroque pieces. The performance and recording quality of this CD is fantastic. This is a great purchase for anyone who wishes to expand their horizons into French Baroque or music for viola da gamba. You really can't go wrong with your purchase here as virtually no other performer rises much higher than average in comparison to Savall's unique and passionate style for the viola. customer review @ amazon.com Tracklist: Pièces de Viole avec la Basse Chifrée par Mr F.C. Première Suite (24:06) 1 Prelude 4:29 2 Allemande Légere 2:32 3 Courante 1:59 4 Sarabande Grave 4:05 5 Gavotte 2:26 6 Gigue 2:40 7 Passacaille Ou Chaconne 5:52 Deuxième Suite (19:35) 8 Prélude 3:17 9 Fuguéte 2:07 10 Pompe Funébre 9:32 11 La Chemise Blanche 4:37 Total playing time: 43:51 Musicians: Harpsichord – Ton Koopman Bass Viola da gamba à Sept Cordes – Jordi Savall Bass Viola da gamba – Ariane Maurette Recorded at Eglise Romane de Saint-Lambert-des-Bois, Yvelines, France Producer – Michel Bernstein Recorded by Dr. Thomas Gallia Remastered by Manuel Mohino Checksums: MD5: 57223beefd402da45f92b87d5f5095dd *Jordi Savall - François Couperin - Pièces de Viole - 1728.iso sfv: Jordi Savall - François Couperin - Pièces de Viole - 1728.iso 1E90DAB3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2Tcqk2w05A