Les Concerts Royaux, 1722

" In this high quality CD, the Concert des Nations directed by Jordi Savall, has successfully disseminated the few details left by Couperin and re-created what are perhaps the most important works of the French royal court: the Concert Royaux. Having already recorded Couperin's Pièces de Voile, Les Nations, and Les Apothéoses, the Concert Royaux would comprise the second category of chamber works written by Couperin for the Court of King Louis XIV. To gain a better understanding of the general purpose of these concerts, you might think of them as relative to Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, but only in their sense of purpose. Their stylistic elements couldn't be more diverse." (Opera Today)

"…Couperin listed a wide range of options - violin, flute, oboe, viol and bassoon - while he himself played harpsichord, presumably expanding its role to that of chordal continuo. …for a month of Sundays, Jordi Savall's colourful options are a delight. The final Concert offers a kaleidoscope of colours, all the more varied by continuo of harpsichord and theorbo/guitar and ending with a wonderfully spirited 'Forlane en rondeau'." (BBC Music)