Le Concert Spirituel . Hervé Niquet

The French baroque ensemble Le Concert Spirituel owes its reputation to the lively performances of the music of Marc-Antoine Charpentier. For more than twenty years, the energetic Hervé Niquet has re-invigorated forgotten French baroque music. Initially, the emphasis was on the religious repertoire, but he has increasingly shifted his focus to opera. This broadening of his musical horizons has definitely affected his musicianship: Niquet is daring to opt, more often, for drama and grand gestures, and in a quite literal sense, too. Witness the recent performances by more than 80 musicians of Handel's 'Water Music Suites'. This concert pairs this major work with the equally festive 'Music for the Royal Fireworks'. The suites consist of a series of baroque dances, such as bourrées, rigaudons and minuets, interspersed with lyrical instrumental arias. Possibly an even greater master of instrumental baroque music was Arcangelo Corelli. He wrote his most famous concerto grosso for a very festive occasion: Christmas night. You'll certainly be in a very good mood after listening to this programme.