RAMEAU

Symphonies for two harpsichords

Pierre Hantai, Skip Sempe

Instruments:

Laurent Soumagnac, Chaumont en Vexin 2008 [Lyonnaise school]

Philippe Humeau, Barbaste 1983, after Antoine Vater, Paris 1738

Philippe Humeau, Barbaste 2006, after Christian Zell, Hamburg 1728

The numerous instrumental pieces or 'Symphonies' found in the dramatic works of Rameau are remarkably effective on the harpsichord: the composer himself, with his transcription of 'Les Indes Galantes' invited other musicians to continue this tradition.

Seizing on the formidable array of material available in his operas: Platée, Zoroastre, Dardanus, Les Paladins, Pygmalion... Pierre Hantai and Skip Sempé, our finest exponents of this repertoire, take obvious pleasure in revealing, through the two harpsichords, the immense richness of this music, full of surprises and imagination.

"If one harpsichord sounds like "two skeletons copulating on a tin roof", this is a veritable orgy." Anna Picard, Independent on Sunday, 16 November 2008

“Asked what he thought was most important to Rameau, Sempé replied ‘nobility and humour’. Both can be found in abundance on this CD” Gramophone, December 2008 [PA0005 Rameau La Pantomime] BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Choice

"Hantaï’s imaginative playing and accomplished technique are compelling…he seems to possess an intuition which leads him and us to the poetic heart of this music." Nicholas Anderson, BBC Music Magazine, July 2003 Benchmark Recording [MIR9930 The Well-Tempered Clavier]

“If a more joyous celebration of Scarlatti’s genius emerges from the anniversary year than this, I should like to hear it. Skip Sempé chooses 17 of his favourite sonatas and releases them in a whirl of panache, passion and skill that leaves you dazzled and longing for more.” Lindsay Kemp, Gramophone recommends, Awards 2007

Mirare MIR164