Search - Forqueray, De Visee, Smith :: Chamber Music of Versailles

Let's keep our voices down, his majesty is trying to sleep

conquistador69 | 08/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shhhh!!! Is Bedtime at the court king Louis XIV, now after a very long day of ruling, the king went to rest. Before falling asleep, the king would call on some of the best instrumentalists in his court orchestra (guitarrists, lutenists, violist, and harpsichordists) to play for him some of the best music in the kingdom. Among these instrumentalists was the guitarrist, Robert de Visee, who later became the king's master guitarrist.Also among the music performed, was also music for bass viol, by M. Demanchy, who was also a great violist. This recording features music by both composers, performed by soloists Hopkinson Smith playing an early theorbe, and by violist Jordi Savall,(We know Mr.Smith from his recordings of Bach's Lute Suites, and we also know Mr.Savall from recordings of his early music groups Hesperion XXI, Les Concert des Nations,and La Capella reial,Catalunya). The recording, is a boxed set of two Cd's reissues from middle 70's. Savall, and Smith both play their respective instruments with charm, and sweetness. They both honor, and respect the practice procedures, and techniques of the baroque.The sound quality of the recording outstanding, despite the fact that both recordings are reissues.This is a wonderful recording especially for those of us who sometimes have trouble sleeping at night.A prelude to a good night sleep....."