Rameau keyboard music, 13.5.12

[Pegleg]

I cannot say I'm a serious student of Rameau, or anyone else, but I've listened to this programme twice now and there's always something to learn on FOR3. In this case, the existence of Marcelle Meyer and that Cherkassky clip.

I was gifted a copy of Celine Frisch's single CD of Pieces de Calvecin and bought Angela Hewitt's Hyperion recording of Rameau keyboard suites for a elderly piano loving relative. It was returned to me on their passing.

Flicking between these two I tend toward the Leonhardt view that no matter how good the pianist you need to listen to the “real thing”.

Sophie Yates was heard playing the Gavotte with 6 Doubles on the show and I sought out some alternatives on youtube from Pinnock, Christie, Rousset and Rannou. I enjoyed Pinnock and Rannou most.

I thought Trevor Pinnock might have been in programme mix, and I have a couple of questions for those who know about these things.

I had DG Pinnock CD on loan once ( DG 474182-2 I think), which sadly is no longer on sale, but the CRD recording is ( CRD 35112 ). Are these completely different studio sessions? Is Pinnock playing a D.Way Stonington CT Hemsch type harpsichord on both?

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

This is definitely NOT the jazz forum!

true but it is wonderful!

[LeMartinPecheur]

I have a CD on the Tring 'Authenticka' (sic) label from c1996 of Virginia Black doing the A minor (1706), the E minor and Dminor/major suites (both 1724). I'm not alone in thinking it knocks spots off the CRD Pinnock complete set which is my only reference point.

Does anyone else know this disc? - I've not seen a mention of it anywhere, inc Amazon Marketplace. And did she record the rest of the Suites? I'd love to snap up a copy if so.

[MickyD]

Strange, I can find no reference to the Virginia Black disc, not even on a comprehensive site of Rameau recordings. I remember hearing VB in an excellent recital once in the chapel of Arundel Cathedral, so I can imagine that this disc would be worth hearing. I've always been a fan of the Rousset recording for Decca, but am tempted to try the newer Pieter-Jan Belder collection on Brilliant.

[Pegleg]

Virginia Black has never been on my radar. I'm not surprised the “Tring” CD is elusive as the company appears to have been litigated out of business around 1998 over copyright issues.

The chances of hearing that CD are small. There is just one piece of hers on youtube playing “Les Baricades Misterieuses”:

http://youtu.be/ft6lFgaK_Gc

Pinnock is not necessarily top of my list, and I'm beginning to think that the DG Rameau recording I mentioned is a figment of my imagination, except it is referred to on youtube and if it ever existed must be a different session to the crd CD.

Another Rameau recording I'd like to get my hands on is that of Scott Ross. It's interesting to compare him to Marcelle Meyer playing Les Tendres Plaintes:

http://youtu.be/pPl4jbfPSc4

http://youtu.be/segCBE0oX9Q

[MickyD]

I think Scott Ross recorded all the Rameau keyboard music for Telefunken years ago...but did that set ever make it to CD? I don't recall it doing so.

As for Pinnock, he recorded a disc of keyboard favourites from different composers for Archiv sometime back in the 80s under the title of "Chaconne", featuring a Handel piece with that title...might some Rameau have featured on that?

[amateur51]

I think Scott Ross recorded all the Rameau keyboard music for Telefunken years ago...but did that set ever make it to CD? I don't recall it doing so.

As for Pinnock, he recorded a disc of keyboard favourites from different composers for Archiv sometime back in the 80s under the title of "Chaconne", featuring a Handel piece with that title...might some Rameau have featured on that?

It appears to have made it to CD, MickeyD

http://avaxhome.ws/music/Jean-Philip...cott_Ross.html

The link is offered as evidence of CD-version rather than an enticement to download

[MickyD]

Thanks for the link, amateur...but sadly my computer blocks it as a suspect site which could cause damage!!!

I enjoyed the EMS programme on this subject, not least to be able to compare some other versions. I rather like the recorded sound of Sophie Yates' harpsichord....it tempts me once again to try her 3 discs of the Handel suites.

[Pegleg]

It's that STIL 3CD set I'd like to have, along with other recordings by Scott Ross and Kenneth Gilbert as listed here:

http://www.medieval.org/emfaq/velde/harps.htm

Even the Christophe Rousset recording on L’OISEAU-LYRE, as played on the show, is not available. Letting the recorded work of Ross and Gilbert fade into obscurity is tragic.

[Pegleg]

Thanks for the link, amateur...but sadly my computer blocks it as a suspect site which could cause damage!!!

I enjoyed the EMS programme on this subject, not least to be able to compare some other versions. I rather like the recorded sound of Sophie Yates' harpsichord....it tempts me once again to try her 3 discs of the Handel suites.

In the spirit of experimentation only, I can tell you those links are long dead. Maybe the Scott Ross set can be purchased in France. The Pinnock Archiv 80s CD titled "Chaconne", is entirely works by Handel. I've given up on the mystery.

Sophie Yates Handel harpsichord recordings are worth having. You can hear samples here:

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/C...HAN0644#listen