The Favorite
If the French Violin School offers a wide repertoire of sonatas, concertos, and Sinfonia concertante composed by dancing masters, as violins of the various concert societies, these 18th century works represent nowadays one of the jewels of french musical art, halfway between the baroque era and the classical movement which appeared in Europe at the end of the Enlightenment.
From Versailles to Royal Courts, from the Concert spirituel to the Académie Royale de musique, not forgetting the King's 24 Violins, the duo uniting harpsichord and violin illustrates the fine tradition of the sonata chamber concert, one of the touchstones of a repertoire that would last for many years, reaching as far as the romantic salons. Hosted by cultivated patrons who appreciate their talent, musicians built their reputation thanks to the support of well-known figures such as Sieur Brunet, the King's advisor, for Sénaillé, the financier Joseph Bonnier de la Mosson or the Duke of Gramont for Leclair, the skillful politician Antoine de Sartine for Duphly, H.S.H. the Prince of Conti for Schobert or even the King himself for Mondonville!
This musical journey between baroque and rococo, featuring virtuosos of deep and vivid inspiration, reveals a great sensitivity under the guise of entertainment. The movements of these elegant and sophisticated sonatas present a range of portraits and dance figures with flowing themes that frame charming, tender airs.
LA FAVORITE
Les Maîtres de Musique
JACQUES DUPHLY (1715-1789)
Third Book of Harpsichord Pieces (1756)
Ouverture, La De May, La Madin
JEAN BAPTISTE CARDONNE (1730-1792)
Sonata IV "la Favorite" (1760)
Allegro, Andante assai, Aria 1 & 2
JEAN JOSEPH CASSANÉA de MONDONVILLE (1711-1772)
Harpsichord pieces in sonatas (1740)
"Sons Harmoniques" - la Cacia (1738)
ARMAND LOUIS COUPERIN (1727-1789)
Sonata No.3 (1765)
Allegro, Andante, Minuetto
JEAN BAPTISTE CARDONNE (1730-1792)
Sonata VI (1760)
Andante assai, Andante Amoroso, Minuets
JOHANN SCHOBERT (1735-1767)
Sonata IV, with violin accompaniment - Œuvre XIV (1766)
Allegro assai, Andante, Presto