Jean-Philippe Rameau: Complete Solo Keyboard Works - Steven Devine (harpsichord) - Resonus Classics - RES10214

Jean-Philippe Rameau: Complete Solo Keyboard Works

£19.99
Total playing time [219:39]

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Steven Devine (harpsichord)

Celebrated harpsichordist Steven Devine completes his monumental survey for Resonus Classics of the complete solo keyboard works by Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764) with this new three disc collection. 

These seminal works of the French Baroque era are brought to life vividly by Devine, mainly marking the earlier part of Rameau’s career and charting the development of the future prolific opera and ballet composer. The three books of Pièces de Clavecin are joined by the Cinq Pièces (derived from the Pièces de Clavecin en Concert), and the individual work La Dauphine.

Also included is the substantial compendium Les Indes Galantes – keyboard transcriptions that Rameau himself made from his own opera-ballet of the same name composed in 1735/6. In these transcriptions Devine is joined by harpsichordist Robin Bigwood who lends a third hand in select movements, while the entire set is recorded on a copy by Ian Tucker of the Ruckers/Hemsch harpsichord in Hatchlands' Cobbe Collection.

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

DISC ONE

Premier Livre de Pièces de Clavecin (1706)

Suite in A minor
1. Prélude
2. Allemande I
3. Allemande II
4. Courante
5. Gigue
6. Sarabande I & II
7. Vénitienne
8. Gavotte
9. Menuet

Pièces de Clavessin (1724)

Suite in E minor
10. Allemande
11. Courante
12. Gigue en rondeau I
13. Gigue en rondeau II
14. Le Rappel des Oiseaux
15. Rigaudon I & II (with double)
16. Musette en rondeau
17. Tambourin
18. La Villageoise (Rondeau)

Suite in D minor/major
19. Les Tendres Plaintes (Rondeau)
20. Les Niais de Sologne (with doubles)
21. Les Soupirs
22. La Joyeuse (Rondeau)
23. La Follette (Rondeau)
24. L’Entretien des Muses
25. Les Tourbillons (Rondeau)
26. Les Cyclopes (Rondeau)
27. Le Lardon
28. La Boiteuse

29. Menuet en rondeau

DISC TWO

Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin

Suite in A minor/major
1. Allemande
2. Courante
3. Sarabande
4. Les Trois Mains
5. Fanfarinette
6. La Triomphante
7. Gavotte & Doubles

Suite in G major/minor
8. Les Tricotets (Rondeau)
9. L’Indifférente
10. Menuet I & II
11. La Poule
12. Les Triolets
13. Les Sauvages
14. L’Enharmonique
15. L’Egyptienne

DISC THREE

Les Indes Galantes
1. Ouverture
2. Air Polonois
3. Musette en Rondeau
4. 1er et 2e Menuet
5. Air gratieux pour les Amours
6. Air pour les Amants et Amantes
7. 1er Air pour les Bostangis
8. 2e Air pour les Bostangis
9. Gavotte
10. 1er Air des Fleurs
11. [2e] Air tendre pour la Rose
12. [1re] Gavotte pour les Fleurs
13. [2e] Gavotte vive pour les Fleurs
14. Air pour Borée et la Rose
15. Air pour Zéphire
16. Air vif pour Zéphire et la Rose
17. Marche des Persans
18. Air pour les Esclaves affricans
19. Rigaudon en Rondeau
20. Tambourin
21. Air
22. Air Grave pour les Incas du Pérou
23. Rondeau gratieux
24. Première Gavotte – 2e Gavotte en Rondeau
25. Les Sauvages – Danse du Grand Calumet de la Paix
26. 1er et 2e Menuet pour les Guerriers et Amazones
27. Chaconne

Cinq Pièces (1741)
28. La Livri
29. L’Agaçante
30. La Timide (1er et 2e Rondeau)
31. L’Indiscrette

32. La Dauphine (1747)

33. Air pour Zéphire
transcription of original by Steven Devine

“

'Devine is a superb musical guide – varied, expressive, technically agile – but he has provided, too, helpful and clear programme notes on the stylistic challenges of this music...its powers of expression run deep. You won’t find a better exponent than Devine.'

- The Observer

'Devine is a superb musical guide – varied, expressive, technically agile – but he has provided, too, helpful and clear programme notes on the stylistic challenges of this music...its powers of expression run deep. You won’t find a better exponent than Devine.'
The Observer

'Devine does the composer proud, his razor-sharp articulation at the service of supremely considered readings that impart an ear-gripping clarity…Sometimes Devine’s very scrupulousness works against a sense of spontaneity…Nevertheless, [his] is a set executed with abundant virtuosity and crammed with delights.'
BBC Music Magazine

'This is an essential set, and not just for the inclusion of Les Indes Galantes, Steven Divine opens up the music of the suites to a more thoughtful performance, one which does not rely on fireworks to show the mastery of Rameau as a composer of keyboard music.'
MusicWeb International

'Devine’s crisp and attentive playing is well suited to the bright tone of the harpsichord by Ian Tucker'
Classical Source

'Collectors wanting a ‘completer than complete’ Rameau cycle will find Devine to be a musician who obviously knows what he wants to get from the music and who commands the means to communicate his conceptions.'
Gramophone

'His general approach inclines towards the thoughtful and restrained which is a welcome contrast to those virtuosos who set out to demonstrate that they are exactly that.'
Early Music Review

'[...] outstanding sensitivity of his playing, ranging from his choice of sensible speeds, mercifully slower than the speed merchants, to the delicacy of his touch and the refinement of his articulation.'
andrewbensonwilson.org

Credits
© 2018 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2014 & 2018 Resonus LImited
Catalogue No. RES10214
EAN: 5060262791196
Release date: 1 June 2018
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
Cover image: Harpsichord detail © Resonus Limited