Le Concert de la Loge / Julien Chauvin / Sophie Karthäuser HAYDN L'Impatiente

L'IMPATIENTE

Julien Chauvin / Le Concert de la Loge VIVALDI Concerti per Violino VIII "Il teatro"

                                        CONCERTI PER VIOLINO VIII "IL TEATRO"

Sandrine Piau / Le Concert de la Loge / Julien Chauvin SI J'AI AIMÉ

Sandrine Piau’s first recital for the ALPHA Label, with Susan Manoff (Chimère - Alpha 397), proved an enormous hit (Diapason d’Or of the year, Choc of the year, and Gramophone Editor’s Choice). Her new project is a recital with orchestra celebrating French song of the period when it moved from the private salon to the concert hall. Planned in partnership with the Palazzetto Bru Zane, this programme evokes anticipation, desire, pleasure, memory, in short all the vagaries of love experienced by a romantic heroine… To verses of the poets Hugo, Gautier, and Verlaine, Sandrine Piau has selected song settings by Saint-Saëns (‘Extase’, ‘Papillons’), Massenet (‘Le Poète et le Fantôme’, ‘Aimons-nous’...), and Vierne, as well as by the rarely-heard Dubois, Bordes… Julien Chauvin and his period instrument ensemble combine these songs with orchestral pieces (the ‘Symphonie Gotique' by Godard or the 'Valse très lente' by Massenet). The disc also presents excerpts from Nuits d’Été by Berlioz, and ends with the famous classic ‘Plaisir d’amour’ by Martini. 

Le Concert de la Loge / Julien Chauvin / Sandrine Piau HAYDN La Reine

It was in 2015 that Julien Chauvin decided to bring back to life one of the most famous orchestras of the late 18th century, Le Concert de la Loge Olympique. Founded in 1783 and owing its lasting famous for having commissioned Joseph Haydn’s ‘Paris’ Symphonies, it gave its first concerts under the high patronage of Marie-Antoinette, hence the subtitle of the fourth ‘Paris’ Symphony: ‘La Reine’. 

Although the name has been slightly changed today, now called Le Concert de la Loge, this ensemble of a variable number of musicians perpetuates the same tradition of excellence as its illustrious namesake. On the programme, of course, the recording of the cycle of these ‘Paris’ Symphonies and, to get the series off to a start, the recording of this famous ‘Reine‘. Taking up the purest tradition of concerts of the ensemble at the time, for each programme, Julien Chauvin combines not only instrumental works by various composers but also vocal pieces (in general, opera arias). 

Thus the fabulous Sandrine Piau, a distinguished guest of this first recording, ideally portrays the gentle Sélène in the world premiere recording of an aria from Giuseppe Sarti’s Didone abbandonata (1762) and offers dazzling virtuosity in Diane’s spectacular aria from Johann Christian Bach’s serenade Endimione. The listener will also (re)discover a little gem by Henri-Joseph Rigel, violist in Le Concert de la Loge Olympique: the Symphony Op. 12 no.4 (1774). With this first release, Julien Chauvin already proves that his orchestra will quickly establish itself and regain its past glory.

Le Concert de la Loge / Julien Chauvin HAYDN L'Ours

The well-known Concert de la Loge, the period-instruments orchestra led by the violinist Julien Chauvin, comes back with the third episode of Haydn’s journey in Paris. His complete Parisian Symphonies recording continues this fall with the number 82 nicknamed “The Bear”. It is coupled with the Symphonie concertante for bassoon, horn, flute and oboe of one of his contemporaries, François Devienne.

This colorful third volume draws a witty and virtuoso panorama of French 18th century music.

Le Concert de la Loge / Julien Chauvin / Justin Taylor HAYDN La Poule

Thanks to Julien Chauvin and his ensemble La Loge, the programs of the Concert Spirituel’s evenings in the late 18^th century Paris come back to life. The so called Haydn’s “symphonies parisiennes” are the core of their musical project which also features contemporary composers, some of them are still unknown.

After “La Reine”, Julien Chauvin and his musicians release “La Poule”, which mischievous doted notes are famous, and Marie-Alexandre Guénin’s Third Symphony. In addition to being a member of the Concert Spirituel’s orchestra as a violinist, Guénin was a teacher and a composer. This score, typical of the Sturm und Drang dramatic gestures, has nothing to envy to the works of his more prominent peers.

The disc ends with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17, K 453 performed by the young and talented Justin Taylor on the fortepiano. His technique allows his sensibility and intelligence to blossom freely so that the soloist can offer a pure moment of delicacy.

Olivier Baumont / Julien Chauvin À MADAME Divertissement pour Adélaïde

At the court of Versailles, the daughters of Louis XV (referred to as ‘Mesdames’), and in particular Adélaïde, devoted themselves to a regular practice of music and, apparently, demonstrated talent. Numerous composers (Simon, Rameau, Balbastre, Cardonne, Guignon) played for them, worked with them, and dedicated several works to them. ‘À Madame’, Divertissement pour Adélaïde, is an anthology, subjectively put together, of compositions that resounded in their drawing room.
All the works on this programme are world premieres. These lovely, rare nuggets are mixed with a few unusual sonorities of marvellous carillons of the Marc-Antoine Le Nepveu clock (currently in the Cabinet de la Méridienne, located at the heart of the palace, on the first floor).
The recording, made in the Grand Cabinet de Madame Victoire at Versailles and featuring two precious historical instruments from the palace’s collections, faithfully reproduces the forgotten beauties of the Age of Enlightenment.
An original invitation to travel back in time, as testimony to a musical afternoon at Versailles in the company of Mesdames. (Aparté Music)