Rameau / Crook Concert De Danse CD

The 18th century was a time when deportment and noble behavior were essential for people of quality. Dance formed a major part of all social ceremonies and theatrical presentations. Nowhere was dancing more highly regarded than in France, where ballets de cour assumed great importance, and the Lullian tragedie en musique had it's counterpart in the ballet en action of the opera-ballet. The Fantaisie (1729) and Plaisirs champetres (1734) of Jean-Fiery Rebel, reflecting the differing personalities of their prima ballerinas Camargo and Salle, have been called "choreographic symphonies". Bucolic pastimes were a favorite subject for these courtly entertainments: Rameau's "heroic pastoral" Daphnis et ?gle (1753) is represented by a large number of movements which illustrate it's rich orchestration and expressive depth. "Sigiswald Kuijken's Petite Bande play with brisk rhythmicality, clean-cut precision and an engaging stylishness, at the same time not ignoring dynamic contrast. Howard Crook rises to the pathos of Acis's air in Lully's "heroic pastoral", but is heard at his best in ornate fast-moving airs by Rameau." (Gramophone)

1. Ouverture 2. C'est en Vain... - Howard Crook/La Petite Bande 3. Passacaille 4. Que Me Peut Demander la Gloire - Howard Crook/La Petite Bande 5. I. Grave 6. II. Chaconne 7. III. Loure 8. IV. Tambourin 9. V. Chaconne 10. Tant Au'a Dur? la Nuit... - Howard Crook/La Petite Bande 11. I. Musette 12. II. Gavotte 13. III. Chaconne 14. IV. Passepied 15. V. Bourr?e - Rigoudon - Bourr?e 16. I. Ouverture 17. II. Menuet en Rondeau 18. III. Rondeau Tendre 'Dieu de L'amiti?' 19. IV. Sarabande 20. V. Gavottes 1 Et 2 21. VI. Passepieds 1 Et 2 22. Ranimez Vous - Howard Crook/La Petite Bande 23. VII. Entr?e 24. VIII. Gigue 25. IX. Gavotte 26. X. Muzette 27. XI. Oiseaux, Chantez 28. XII. Pantomime 29. XIII. Menuets 1 Et 2 30. L'objet Qui R?gne... - Howard Crook/La Petite Bande 31. XIV. Tambourins 1 Et 2 32. XV. Contredanse