This episode of Cleveland Ovations features selections from two recent concerts by Les Délices: The Age of Indulgence and The Imaginary Orchestra.
The Age of Indulgence
Les Délices continues its exploration of daring, experimental works from the French Rococo. Quartets from François-André Philidor’s Art of Modulation and other works for the salon mix lush French harmonies with Haydn-esque humor and wit and a little of CPE Bach’s characteristic sturm und drang to create a truly unique sound. The result is a fusion of baroque gestures and classical forms that combine with harmonic and technical virtuosity to yield expressive extremes. Works by Philidor, Rameau, and more.
Selected works:
Philidor: Sinfonia V
Blavet: Sonata Seconda La Vibray
Rameau: Entrée de Polymnie and Dardanus
Guignon: Variations on Les Sauvages
The Imaginary Orchestra
Weeks before the orchestra arrives to join in the production of an opera, the repetiteurs create grand operatic gestures and magically gauzy textures at the keyboard in rehearsals with singers and dancers. With the swirling colors of an orchestra under their fingers, virtuoso harpsichordists Michael Sponseller and Jacob Street are featured in this program of orchestral arrangements for two keyboards from operas by Rameau, Marais, Lully, and more.
Selected works:
Lully and Marais
Rameau at the Keyboard
Rameau the Visionary
Symphonie pour deux clavecins
The Power of Love