Dornel: La Triomphante - Chamber Music for Recorders, Flute and Continuo

Bigwood, Robin, Laurin, Dan, Passacaglia

8.570986

To have had one disc of music by the little known 18th century French composer, Louis-Antoine Dornel, may be looked upon as a luxury, but to have a second could be viewed as self-indulgent.

We know that he was a highly regarded organist in Paris, and quite industrious as a composer, though precious few works have survived. Though music of the time would have often been composed without any particular instrument in mind, Dornel does seem to have had flutes or recorders much in mind.
In 1709 he published the Livre de Simphonies Contenant six Suittes en Trio, a quite extensive volume largely constructed from pieces in dance form, the Sonate en Quatour for three recorders, theorbo, harpsichord and viola da gamba making a pleasing opening to the disc. ‘Pleasing’ sums up the remaining tracks, for they are not works of landmark status.
Try the Sonate II in D major, ‘La Triomphante’ , the briefest Gavotte you may have heard leading to a catchy Gigue as a winning finale. It is the ideal sampling point, but, for recorder enthusiasts, try the Sonate VII in D minor scored for recorder trio. The disc is performed by an ensemble based on the technically accomplished English group, Passacaglia, specialists in the field of French Baroque music, their harpsichordist, Robin Bigwood, on a wonderfully fruity instrument providing a bouncy performance of the seven dances that form the Cinquième Suite from the Pièces de Clavecin. It ends with a nice recreation of a hurdy-gurdy.Recorded in the excellent acoustics of the well-know Naxos venue in Toddington. • David Denton, David's Review Corner, October 2008

CD

13.10.2008

747313098675