Early Music Delights
This episode explores the many sides of October, the autumn month. Festivities, wine, hunting and the shorter days inspire Baroque composers to write colourful music. From Giovanni Antonio Guido’s autumn scenes and Joseph Bodin the Boismortier’s praise of the Bacchus to musical portraits of October by Gregor Joseph Werner and Christopher Simpson, the season takes centre stage.
In between, Nicolas Chédeville gives music by Antonio Vivaldi a distinctive sound with the hurdy-gurdy.
Playlist
Giovanni Antonio Guido (1675–1729)
- From the violin concertos Scherzi armonici sopra le Quattro Stagioni dell’anno: ‘L’Automne’ (Autumn)
Performers: Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal, conducted by Andrés Gabetta (violin)
(CD: Château de Versailles, CVS 042)
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689–1755)
- From Les Quatre Saisons: cantata ‘L’Automne’
Performers: Marc Mauillon (baritone); Orchestre de l’Opéra Royal, conducted by Chloé de Guillebon
(CD: Château de Versailles, CVS 144)
Gregor Joseph Werner (1693–1766)
- From Musikalischer Kalender: ‘Im Weinmonat’
Performers: A Corte Musical, conducted by Gonçalves
(CD: Gallo, CD-1069)
Nicolas Chédeville (1705–1782)
- From Le printems, ou les saisons amusantes: ‘L’Automne’
Performers: Ensemble Danguy, directed by Tobie Miller (Baroque hurdy-gurdy)
(CD: Ricercar, RIC 398)
Christopher Simpson (c. 1602–1669)
- From The Monthes and The Seasons: ‘October’
Performers: Les Lucioles: Lucile Boulanger, Myriam Rignol and Manon Papasergio (viola da gamba); Elisabeth Geiger (chest organ); Gabriel Rignon (lute)
(CD: Alpha, 1266)
Additional work
Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741)
- Final movement of the Violin Concerto in F major, RV 293
Performers: Dan Laurin (recorder); Arte dei Suonatori
(CD: BIS, SACD-1605)
