Amanda Babington: Friends in High Places [CD]

Best described as a delicate classical bagpipe, the musette's patronage by Louis XIV meant that it became a novel plaything of composers, performers and makers seeking Royal favour. However, by the 1760s it had become an integral part of French culture and music-making, featuring in music for the theatre, court and salon, and played by amateurs and virtuosi alike. Disappearing withthe French Revolution, the musette was only rediscovered during the 1960s and this album showcases the instrument's unique sound world in combination with baroque flute, baroque cello and harpsichord. Played on original instruments, the works on this album by composers such as Boismortier, Naudot and Dupuits showcase the instruments' virtuosity. A duo by Chedeville for two musettes references the musette's pastoral history and the harmonically exciting trios by Dugue and Naudot are offset by the beautiful simplicity of solo works by Braun and Dornel for flute and harpsichord respectively.