Editorial Reviews

For musical fun from the gran siècle -- that wonderful period in the early eighteenth century when Louis XIV created his own personal pleasure palace in Versailles -- try this 2008 Naïve disc called Les Grandes Eaux Musicales de Versailles. With a program featuring selected works written for the king by Lully, Rameau, Desmarest, Gluck, and Porpora, the music is grand, colorful, brilliant, beautiful, and, as often as not, utterly beguiling. Played by Les Talens Lyriques under the direction of Christophe Rousset, the music is performed with zest, charm, wit, and, perhaps surprisingly for those unfamiliar with the repertoire, a deep sensuality that instantly evokes the amorous atmosphere of Versailles. Joined by a variety of excellent if internationally less than well known vocal soloists, Les Talens Lyriques plays with easy and enthusiastic brilliance, and Rousset directs them all with a sure hand and a clear head. Though not for all fans of the Baroque -- those who revere Bach's doom and gloom religiosity may prefer to demure -- listeners less interested in the spiritual rewards of the next world than in the sensual delights of this world should definitely take note. Naïve's digital sound is clean, clear, and yet still suffused with a sense of place and time. James Leonard, All Music Guide

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