There is nothing left wanting in these performances. Hantaï and Verzier both display adroit virtuosity, possess warm tones but distinctive approaches, and share a telepathic sense of interplay, all excellent qualities in these intimate chamber works. Brother Pierre Hantaï on the keyboard sticks with them throughout, following them even in the most tempo rubato-saturated Sarabande. The lion's share of the pieces here are in the standard stylized Baroque dance forms, but Marais' expressive melodies, pungent harmonies, and highly individual take on the forms make each piece unique.

The numerous instrumental pieces or 'Symphonies' found in the dramatic works of Rameau are remarkably effective on the harpsichord: the composer himself, with his transcription of 'Les Indes Galantes' invited other musicians to continue this tradition.
Seizing on the formidable array of material available in his operas: Platée, Zoroastre, Dardanus, Les Paladins, Pygmalion… Pierre Hantai and Skip Sempé, our finest exponents of this repertoire, take obvious pleasure in revealing, through the two harpsichords, the immense richness of this music, full of surprises and imagination.

Charles (ou François) Dieupart est un musicien (claveciniste et violoniste) d'origine française, né probablement à Paris, vers 1667 et mort à Londres vers 1740.
On ne connaît pas les détails de la jeunesse et de la formation de Dieupart, ni la raison de son émigration en Angleterre où il est présent en 1704. Connaisseur de la musique italienne et admirateur de Corelli, il a été en Angleterre un musicien apprécié de la haute société, notamment comme violoniste, et a participé au développement et à la diffusion de la musique et de l'opéra italien dans ce pays. Il a connu, à la fin de sa vie, l'indigence et une certaine déchéance sociale.

It was in Amsterdam in 1740 that a lawyer named Hubert Le Blanc published an astounding work that defended the use of the bass viol at a time when the violin and the cello were becoming more and more important in Parisian musical life. This recording provides a musical equivalent of his essay, depicting the initial success of the bass viol and of Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe (celebrated in the film Tous les matins du monde), its moments of glory and, above all else, the repertoire of the viol, violin and cello during the first half of the 18th century.

Pierre Hantai has been studying the harpsichord from the age of about eleven. His early teacher was Arthur Haas, under whose guidance he learned the instrument, and then he formed an ensemble with his brothers. During this time he won several international awards for his playing. He then spent two years studying with Gustav Leonhart, after which he was asked to perform under his direction. In addition he has performed with many of today's period performance experts such as Philippe Herreweghe, Sigiswald Kujiken and Jordi Savall. His pedigree is therefore well established and it shows in these performances.

The three concertos are young Mozart's first in the genre (along with the Pasticci concertos 1-4), and are based on tunes by J.C. Bach. While the questions are rightly posed, "how much of this did Mozart write and how much of it was Leopold or other sources," the music stands for itself. While not neccesarily the work of a young genius sprung fully formed from Zeus' head, they are excellent examples of galant composition.

Handel and Scarlatti together? Long ago, in Rome (for a musical joust before the most eminent cardinals), in Venice (at a masked ball where Scarlatti recognised the faceless harpsichordist: “It could be no one but the famous Saxon, or the devil”), in London (where an opera by Scarlatti was staged). Together again under the pen of Charles Burney, who celebrated them as the two supreme masters of the harpsichord, the ‘heavenly twins’. And together once more in the little church in Haarlem to which Pierre Hantaï returns like a pilgrim.

Handel and Scarlatti together? Long ago, in Rome (for a musical joust before the most eminent cardinals), in Venice (at a masked ball where Scarlatti recognised the faceless harpsichordist: “It could be no one but the famous Saxon, or the devil”), in London (where an opera by Scarlatti was staged). Together again under the pen of Charles Burney, who celebrated them as the two supreme masters of the harpsichord, the ‘heavenly twins’. And together once more in the little church in Haarlem to which Pierre Hantaï returns like a pilgrim.

By the time he issued his first collection of harpsichord suites in 1720, Handel had already focused his attention entirely on opera. As soon as it was published, the set delighted music lovers and became a bestseller all over Europe. It was such a success that it was reprinted many times. Alternating between the French and Italian styles, Handel does not respect the customary sequence of dance suites of the period. But he does touch the heart. On this recording, harpsichordist Pierre Hantai brings out all the direct charm and imaginative power of these these remarkable works.

Domenico Scarlatti was born in 1685 - the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Only a small fraction of his compositions were published during his lifetime; his 555 keyboard Sonatas were published long after his death. These virtuosic single movement works display remarkable harmonic originality. Pierre Hantaï is recognized as one of the most notable harpsichordists of his generation. The previous five volumes of his dazzling cycle of Scarlatti Sonatas received strong critical acclaim. This long-awaited sixth volume continues to set a new standard for these works.

Un rayon de soleil traverse l’azur du petit matin et réchauffe le cœur d’une douce caresse… Dès le premier mouvement (largo) du Trio en la Majeur, Sébastien Marq expose son jeu doux et velouté, léger et transcendant. Et l’on s’émerveille, béat, devant la beauté du son, la justesse des sentiments, et ce toucher si délicat qui vous berce et vous emmène dans un jardin d’Eden. Le voyage s’achève sur quatre mêmes notes, plus suaves et doucereuses que les précédentes.

What makes Hantaï so thrilling is his insatiable curiosity for ever newer and bolder effects, a ringmaster's sense for giving an audience more than one show at a time. Topping it all is a bubbling youthful zeal, though zeal doesn't do Hantaï's energy level justice - his variety and his recklessness are amazing, he takes tremendous chances, and hits some unbelieveable speeds. Every possible color of the instrument he uses is toyed with and brought out, sometimes tenderly, but more often with elan, panache, brio, gusto - whatever, Hantaï's loaded with the stuff!

Alliant virtuosité époustouflante, rigueur architecturale, puissance expressive et honnêteté scrupuleuse face à la partition, Pierre Hantaï s’est hissé au sommet des claviéristes actuels, notamment dans la musique de Jean-Sébastien Bach ou de Domenico Scarlatti dont il est un spécialiste mondialement reconnu.