The remarkable French harpsichordist Christophe Rousset tackles Rameau’s relatively unknown instrumental transcription of his popular opéra-ballet, Les Indes Galantes.

Christophe Rousset plays Rameau’s instrumental transcription of Les Indes Galantes on the stunning 18th century Jean-Henry Hemsch harpsichord. Public disapproval to the premiere of the opéra-ballet led to Rameau not only omitting the recitatives and its controversial passages, but to transcribing the whole work for instruments. He re-grouped the remaining pieces according to their keys into what he called ‘quatre grands concerts’ or concert suites. In doing so, he hoped that the music itself would popularise the opera and would in turn influence the public’s attitude to the work.

Rousset is one of the finest and most exciting harpsichordists today, and as a conductor is a leader in the late 20th century revival of French Baroque music. He has won critical accolades for his extraordinary command of the harpsichord repertory. His recordings of the complete harpsichord works of François Couperin, Rameau, D’Anglebert and Forqueray, and his regular incursions into the music of J S Bach, are regarded as benchmarks. With his ensemble, Les Talens Lyrique, Rousset’s most notable successes on disc include Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, Mozart’s Mitridate, the overtures of Rameau, Lully’s Roland, and Salieri’s La grotta di Trofonio.