Doux Silence

"The Air de Cour has been with me for almost as long as I have been playing the flute ... For me, it is one of the most beautiful creations of French art. I have compiled these airs from the second half of the seventeenth century to complete the exploration that began with Et la fleur vole (early seventeenth century, jpc 4239373) and À l'ombre d'un ormeau (early eighteenth century, jpc 8615180)", says François Lazarevitch in the introduction to this new release. "I am especially interested in combining the sound qualities and breath of the voice and the flute". Love songs, dance melodies and brunettes on pastoral themes follow in a programme that is both moving and erudite. These miniatures are performed by two outstanding singers who join the instrumentalists (lute, flute, musette, harp, viola da gamba) of Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien: soprano Julie Roset and mezzo-soprano Lucile Richardot.