New recordings of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s brilliant Pieces de Clavecin en Concerts are rare these days. Rarer still are any on American labels and performed by American ensembles. This 2008 performance by Baroque Nouveau (all four members are soloists in the San Francisco-based Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra) unfortunately offers fans of this music little cause for celebration.
First, for no apparent reason the five Concerts are not performed in Rameau’s specified order. Listeners familiar with the proper arrangement will find the placement of “La Pantomime” as the program’s opening instead of “La Coulicam” makes no sense at all, and no explanation is given in the notes. Second, while the performances are generally fine, there are moments where the interpretations sound overly fussy at best and/or perversely mannered at worst. “La Forqueray” of the Fifth Concert and the concluding Menuets of the Second Concert suffer from the former. With its comically elongated string passages couched between widely arching harpsichord figures, the previously mentioned “La Pantomime” is a prime example of the latter. Baroque Nouveau’s (wonderfully) bizarre interpretation of “La Rameau” also sounds uncannily as if Bach co-wrote it!
However, the biggest problem here has to do with the ensemble’s overall approach. While technically the performances are excellent throughout, the conception lacks unity and consistency of style; certain movements seem to be favored over others, which lack the nuance, panache, and wit necessary to elevate them from merely fine interpretations to memorably great ones.
Reference Recordings’ sound is quite good, with convincing acoustic instrumental detail and spacial depth. While Anthony Martin’s notes are entertaining (especially the dedication of this recording to the late, great harpsichordist Albert Fuller), and the presentation is first rate, I was dismayed that nowhere are the composer’s full name or dates mentioned. This seems to be a trend lately and I wish it would stop. A little respect, please.
