The music of Le malade imaginaire is contained in a prologue and three intermedes. For many years that of the first Intermede was thought to have been lost, notwithstanding a clue to its whereabouts provided in La musique a la Comedie Francaise by Jules Bonassies. An American musicologist, John S. Powell followed up the clue and found the missing music in the library of the Cornedie Francaise itself. This new recording, the first to offer virtually all of Charpentier's music, is based on Powell's rediscovery and on H. W. Hitchcock's edition of the remaining sections of the score. Few if any lovers of French baroque music, or particularly of music by this outstandingly gifted representative of it, will have cause for disappointment. Minkowski sensibly has opted for Charpentier's original version of 1673 just predating Lully's tiresome dictature musicale, which subsequently obliged composers to pare down their instrumental and vocal forces. The vocal line-up is first rate with strong contributions from all eight soloists. Instrumental ensemble is not always tidy but it is variously affectingly tender and infectiously robust. Charpentier's orchestral palette is a colourful one with oboes, flutes, recorders and four-part string texture, as opposed to the customary fivepart writing of Lully. Additionally there are some surprising sound effects, notably in the percussion department where, in the third Intermede, the composer calls for apothecary's mortars, apparently cast in those days in a bell foundry! These ones are kindly lent by a Paris antiquarian. Beware of imitations. Castanets, drums and tambourines also make an appearance.
This is a most entertaining issue, affectionately realized and superbly recorded by Erato.

In an attempt to not overuse the word Classic, I must site "Par Les Fils De Mandrin" as a 70's French prog classic and one of their most enduring albums of all time for me. 5th release from ANGE successfully revisiting their classic ANGE style throughout with dramatic intensity. "Par Les Fils De Mandrin explores a nice wide range of musical aspects from folk-inspired as found in the epic tracks "Hymne a la Vie" to the classic-Ange-sounding track "Au Cafe du Colibri" which could have been lifted off their debut album years earlier. A truely wonderful concept album full of beauty with the real accent of classic ANGE....

Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn? This fabulous compilation includes both well-known and undeservedly forgoted performances of the most prominent ladies of the Jazz. 42 tracks represent names like Diana Krall, Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson, Robin McKelle, Eliane Elias, Nina Simone, Peggy Lee, to name just a few. ~stfine

It's late 17th century. The viola da gamba player Monsieur de Sainte Colombe comes home to find that his wife died while he was away. In his grief he builds a small house in his garden into wich he moves to dedicate his life to music and his two young daughters Madeleine and Toinette, avoiding the outside world. Rumor about him and his music is widespread, and even reaches to the court of Louis XIV, who wants him at his court in Lully's orchestra, but Monsieur de Sainte Colombe refuses. One day a young man, Marin Marais, comes to see him with a request, he wants to be taught how to play the viol.

The absolute jazz collection. All the "classics" are here with the legendary performers. Ideal CD for initiation to the magical world of jazz. Enjoy Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Stephane Grappelli, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz and many more, all in one collection.