A French Odyssey

The ferment of the Enlightenment, the first signs of the Revolution and the intellectual debate on colonialism fuel this French odyssey. During the age of exploration, France experienced unprecedented cultural fervor. Trade routes and distant cultures enriched its identity. Exotic sounds and rhythms shaped both the noble salons and concert halls. In this quest for new sounds, the cello finally gained recognition in France in the mid-18th century and replaced the viola da gamba, which had dominated European music for centuries. The emphasis on deep sounds forms the highlight of this recording, with compositions by Louis-François-Joseph Patouart and Martin Bertin. The story of the latter is particularly meaningful and embodies the spirit of the recording: he founded the French cello school, despite having begun his career with the viola da gamba.