Joseph Bodin de Boismortier was born in 1689 in the Age of Enlightenment, a period of enormous optimism. By 1724 he had begun to self publish, and he achieved great financial success without having to rely on the largess of patrons. His music is elegant, witty and charming - but mostly written for players of modest technical ability, his amateur customers. Nonetheless, his near contemporary, Jean-Benjamin La Borde, wrote of his work in 1780 that "whoever takes the trouble to search through this abandoned mine will find enough bits of gold to make an ingot."

The four suites on this album are the only works for solo harpsichord in Boismortier's huge output. The music fits the instrument so beautifully that it surely counts among the gold. Each movement bears a feminine title, many of which call to mind specific ladies in the composer's circle. La Choquante, for example, is the one who loves to shock!

The album ends with five keyboard transcriptions from the last scene of Boismortier's ballet-comique, Don Quichotte [chez la Duchesse] of 1743. Drawing on example of his close contemporary, Jean-Phillip Rameau, the artist has arranged the aird and dances of the final scene. In keeping with the French craze for things exotic - and having nothing at all to do with Cervantes' story - a contingent of Japanese people arrives, singing "Vole, Amour, regne sur nos ames!" - Fly, Love, reign in our hearts!

1. Suite 1 in C Minor La Caverneuse (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
2. Suite 1 in C Minor La Marguilliere (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
3. Suite 1 in C Minor La Transalpine (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
4. Suite 1 in C Minor La Valetudinaire (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
5. Suite 1 in C Minor La Decharnee (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
6. Suite 3 in E Minor L'Imperieuse (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
7. Suite 3 in E Minor La Puce (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
8. Suite 3 in E Minor La Navette (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
9. Suite 3 in E Minor La Flagorneuse (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
10. Suite 3 in E Minor La Belliqueuse (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
11. Suite 2 in G Minor La Serenissime (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
12. Suite 2 in G Minor La Gauloise (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
13. Suite 2 in G Minor La Rustique (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
14. Suite 2 in G Minor La Choquante (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
15. Suite 4 in A Major La Veloutee (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
16. Suite 4 in A Major L'Indeterminee (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
17. Suite 4 in A Major La Frenetique (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
18. Suite 4 in A Major La Brunette (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
19. Five pieces Air de la Japonaise (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
20. Five pieces March (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
21. Five pieces Entrance music and air (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)
22. Five pieces Chaconne (Joseph Bodin de Boismortier)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 5/11/2011
Kathleen McIntosh lives in New Mexico USA

Tagged as: Classical, Baroque, Instrumental, Composer: Joseph Bodin de Boismortier, Harpsichord

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