Audio CD review:
Denis Gaultier, Hopkinson Smith - Gaultier: La Rethorique Des Dieux

Denis Gaultier, Hopkinson Smith - Gaultier: La Rethorique Des Dieux

Band: Denis Gaultier, Hopkinson Smith Title: Gaultier: La Rethorique Des Dieux Rating: Release Date: 01 September, 1993 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Suite I En Re Majeur: 1. Prelude 2: Suite I En Re Majeur: Pavane La Dedicace 3: Suite I En Re Majeur: Allemande Phaeton foudroye 4: Suite I En Re Majeur: Gigue Le Panegirique 5: Suite I En Re Majeur: Courante Minerve 6: Suite I En Re Majeur: Courante Ulisse 7: Suite I En Re Majeur: Sarabande 8: Suite II En La Majeur: Prelude 9: Suite II En La Majeur: Allemande grave Andromede 10: Courante Diane 11: Suite II En La Majeur: Courante La Coquette virtuosa 12: Suite II En La Majeur: Gigue 13: Suite II En La Majeur: Gigue Atalante 14: Suite II En La Majeur: Sarabande 15: Suite XII En La Mineur: Prelude 16: Suite XII En La Mineur: Pavane 17: Suite XII En La Mineur: Courante Narcisse (La Bella Tenebreuse) 18: Suite XII En La Mineur: Gigue La Pastorale 19: Suite XII En La Mineur: Courante Iunon ou La Ialouse 20: Suite XII En La Mineur: Sarabande 21: Suite XII En La Mineur: Allemande grave Tombeau de Monsieur de L'Enclos 22: Suite XII En La Mineur: Courante La Consolation aux Amis du Sr. Lenclos 23: Suite XII En La Mineur: Sarabande La Resolution des Amis du Sr. Lenclos sur sa mort

Customer Reviews soothing and engrossing I listen and it makes me feel at ease, and reverent. I am not an expert, but this is very beautiful music. I am not religious but this music makes me feel an awe and a calm that I cannot explain. I find myself following with my mind as the music moves throught complex and lovely turns and variations on what started as a simple set of soft tones. I highly recommend this CD. Gaultier Speaks Through Smith Both feature Hopkinson Smith playing upon the same antique (1644) instrument and were released in the '70's on the Astree label. Of all the recordings of French Baroque lute music, there are two that stand out as truly exceptional. Sadly, one of them, "Pieces de Luth, Francois DuFaut"(E7735) is currently out of print. The other is this disc. The sublimity of this recording lies in the utter confluence of each and every aspect of it's presentation. Smith is alone in his ability to speak the language of the 17th century French lutenist/composer. He plays an excellent instrument from the precise time of these compositions, which are the apex of Gaultiers' art. The recording is essentially flawless (more fully experienced on the original analogue LP than the CD, but nevertheless. . . ), giving us a clear window to the performance. The lute gives forth the gutty, textured, and expressive sound that Gaultier must have written for. . . here we have an incredible sense of experiencing the full beauty of these works. A definitive recording in every sense. . You can see a complete list of all Denis Gaultier, Hopkinson Smith discography, or go back to the Denis Gaultier, Hopkinson Smith tabs