Haydn: La Reine

It was in 2015 that Julien Chauvin decided to bring back to life one of the most famous orchestras of the late 18th century, Le Concert de la Loge Olympique. Founded in 1783 and owing its lasting fame for having commissioned Joseph Haydn's 'Paris' Symphonies, it gave its first concerts under the high patronage of Marie-Antoinette, hence the subtitle of the fourth 'Paris' Symphony: 'La Reine'. Although the name has been slightly changed today, now called Le Concert de la Loge, this ensemble perpetuates the same tradition of excellence as its illustrious namesake. On the programme, of course, recording the cycle of these 'Paris' Symphonies and, to get the series off to a start, this famous 'Reine'. Julien Chauvin combines not only instrumental works by various composers but also vocal arias). Thus the fabulous Sandrine Piau, a distinguished guest of this first recording, ideally portrays the gentle Sélène in the world premiere recording of an aria from Giuseppe Sarti's 'Didone abbandonata' (1762) and offers dazzling virtuosity in Diane's spectacular aria from Johann Christian Bach's serenade 'Endimione'. The listener will also (re)discover a little gem by Henri-Joseph Rigel, violist in Le Concert de la Loge Olympique: the Symphony Op. 12 no.4 (1774). With this first release, Julien Chauvin has created a stunningly beautiful disc, enhanced by the famous recording quality of the Aparté label and accompanied by a richly informed booklet.

Works:

•  Rigel: Symphonie No. 4 en Ut Mineur, Op. 12, No. 4
•  Sarti: Didone abbandonata: "Io d'amore oh Dio mi moro" (Selena)
•  Bach, J C: Endimione, W.G 15: "Semplicetto, ancor non sai" (Diana)
•  Haydn: Symphony No. 85 in B flat major 'La Reine'