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"VENICE TO VERSAILLES"
THE ELYSIUM ENSEMBLE

The title evokes the idea of a journey or movement, and the works recorded here certainly present an intriguing musical journey through the diversity of instrumental chamber music in France and Italy around the 17th century.
Venice and Versailles were two of the most important centres for the arts at the time. They represent two dominant yet contrasting styles: Venice, the robust, joyful exuberance and baroque (literally, barocco meaning wild or grotesque) character of the Italian style; and Versailles, the refinement, delicacy, elegance and douceur (sweetness) of the French.

This disc also includes a video (MPEG) of the performances of the Hotteterre Troisième Suite.

playing time: 66.16 (72.27 including MPEG video)
direct sale price:  £14.50
audio sample: Ortiz - Recercada Ottava (extract)
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tracks:

Giovanni Bassano (1558-1617):
           Ricercata Quarta
           Susanne ung jour
           Frais et Gaillard
Giovanni G. Kapsberger (d. 1651):
           Toccata no. 3
Dario Castello (d.1658):
           Sonata Prima à sopran solo
Diego Ortiz (1510-1570):
           Recercada Ottava - Recercada Segunda
Marco Ucellini (1603-1680):
           Aria sopra la Begamasca
Jacques Hotteterre (1674-1763):
           Première Suite de pieces a deux dessus
           Troisième Suite de pieces pour la flute traversière
Robert de Visée (17th-18th cent):
           Suite in A minor
François Couperin (1668-1733):
           Musète de Choisi - Musète de Taverni

 
Review extracts:
“an interesting package ... some beautiful moments” - Marie Ritter (Early Music Review) Marie Ritter, Early Music Review
“Yet once again, Elysium Ensemble shows their mastery of the French baroque style with its subtlety, elegance and sophistication ... a touch of vigour and liveliness to brighten anyone's day.” - Caroline Downer (Cinnamon Sticks)
“What a delight! ... their sound is perfection personified, a marvellous soul-searching selection of melodies which reach into the heart. 5/5 ” - Chris Copas (The Star )
“A pleasant, easy-listening, well recorded and recommended CD” - Neville Olliffe (Early Music News )
“This is music to warm heart and soul on the bitterest winter night ... ranging in mood from solemn to sparkling ... performed consummately” - Bob Crimeen (Sunday Herald Sun)