Apothaoses

"Medlam and his players are found at the top of their form" - Music Web

"These refreshing period-instrument performances are stylish, poised and technically assured. Tempos are well measured, articulations is crisp and uniform, ensemble has admirable precision throughout and there is excellent internal rapport and blend."
- The Strad

With this disc London Baroque and BIS are continuing a very successful collaboration which has so far resulted in six releases. On two of these, the Londoners have been partnered by Emma Kirkby; on the remaining four the group, in various constellations, has explored the chamber music of the Baroque, covering Purcell, Vivaldi, J. S. Bach and Rameau. The results have been given top marks by reviewers in all over the world: The Purcell Fantazias (BIS-CD-1165) was termed "An outstanding, beautifully recorded disc, then, that should give much pleasure" by The Strad while Classical Music Web 2002 named the Bach Trio Sonatas (BIS-CD-1345) album of the year, stating that: "London Baroque confirm their qualities as not only sensitive and well-balanced, but also creative in these fine transcriptions. This is an essential recording for Bach lovers." On the present disc London Baroque turn their eyes and ears to François Couperin, also known as "le Grand". But this CD also centres invokes two other Baroque giants, namely Corelli and Lully. The main works are the two Apotheoses, in which Couperin portrays the ascent to Parnassus of his two great predecessors. Apart from them being intended as compliments to the composers, one might see in the works - and especially in L'Apothéose de Lulli - an attempt to advocate and create a fusion of the French style with the Italian, which during the early 17th century was all the rage in Paris. This is music with a history indeed - performed in the ever fresh manner of London Baroque.