Six Concert En Sextuor

Modern transcriptions of popular baroque pieces are so common these days, that it's fascinating to hear transcriptions of favorite pieces done by arrangers who were contemporaries, or near contemporaries, of the original composers. Thus we've heard a French transcription of Vivaldi's 4 Seasons on Linn, a version for chamber ensemble that includes a French bagpipe(!), Bach's transcriptions of Vivaldi and Pergolesi, and now transcriptions of Rameau's gorgeously delicate "Suites pour Clavecin en Concert" arranged for larger forces by an anonymous (presumably) French admirer.
At first one would think that any large-scale version of these pieces would seem cumbersome; I remember an Erato disc from a number of years ago ("Rameau in Versailles" nla) which included versions of these works for full string orchestra and the result killed the fragile nuances of the original. But these transcriptions are far more interesting than those. And, if one is willing to meet them on their own terms, they are highly enjoyable. Surely one misses the sonorities of Rameau's original, but these arrangments have a robust quality that allows us to see them in a new light. In some ways they sound almost folk-like and rustic in their new setting, somewhat similar to Boismortier's "Village Concerts". The addition of woodwinds (although in Rameau's original the first part can be played, alternatively, by a flute) particulaly the bassoon, gives the music a bit of an edge and almost classical sound that can hardly be heard in its original scoring. The final suite is made up of a number of transcriptions of some of Rameau's shorter keyboard works, including the famous "La Poule", in which the clucking of a hen is imitated. "La Poule" has been transcribed in the 20th century as well (and can be found on several "classics for kids" compilations), but never so ingeniously as its heard here.
Rousset drives his forces with the same spirit, determination, and enthusiasm that we've come to expect from him, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking. He makes an excellent case for these rarely heard transcriptions (I know of no other recording) and the playing of his musicians is always delightful. For those who might be interested in hearing him perform the pieces in their original scoring, there exists a lovely recording on Harmonia Mundi featuring Rousset on keyboard.
If you enjoy Baroque music, and especially if you are a Rameau fan, then I heartily recommend this recording. If you've yet to be charmed by Rameau, then you'll be entranced by his melodic invention; I can think of no better introduction.

These pieces present, in sextet format, works by Rameau that were conceived for lightly different combinations of instruments. Five of the 6 suites originated as the 5 suites of the "pieces de clavecin en concerts", so if you have one of the many recordings of those delightful works, there is a lot of repetition here. HOWEVER, the arrangements (likely not done by Rameau, but by an ardent late 18th century follower) are splendid. The liner notes say it best: "these arrangements may not always sound quite like Rameau, but they seldon seem unworthy of him."

so, for Baroque music purists or members of the early music mafia: this state of affairs may or may not offend you, but it doesn't seem to have offended Christophe Rousset, and in the hands of Les Talens Lyriques, these are scrumptous.

Non baroque purists: these are wonderful, and a great introduction (arrangements aside)of why some of us really love Rameau chamber music. if you want a good intro to his orchestral music, you could do no better that the same group playing Rameau's overtures.