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ATMA Classique4
Rigel : Le souffle de la Révolution
Arion Baroque Orchestra; Mathieu Lussier, conductor; Magali Simard-Galdès, soprano; Nicholas Scott, tenor; Mélisande McNabney, fortepiano
ATMA Classique, 2024
This new album by Arion Baroque Orchestra introduces us to the work of Henri-Joseph Rigel, a largely forgotten composer from the second half of the 18th century. Produced in collaboration with the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, it covers a sufficiently wide range of vocal and instrumental repertoire to give a general idea of Rigel’s style, still very much influenced by French music of the time of Louis XIV.
The musicians of Arion, conducted by Mathieu Lussier, launch this disc with the overture of a pastoral comedy entitled Blanche et Vermeille. The characteristic energy of this type of piece is well conveyed, even if the speed of certain violin motifs sometimes borders on the excessive. Quebec soprano Magali Simard-Galdès distinguishes herself with her smooth timbre, before giving way to British tenor Nicholas Scott. He effortlessly manages to deploy an elegant voix mixte and his high register is certainly his strong point. In terms of duets, however, Simard-Galdès’s more substantial tone makes her partner’s timbre seem a little dull in comparison.
It would be impossible to discuss all the works presented here, but we cannot go without mentioning the Concerto for pianoforte in F major, featuring Mélisande McNabney on fortepiano. This is one of the highlights of the recording, not only because of the composer’s inspired writing, which already prefigures Beethoven in its Sturm und Drang (storm and passion) character, but also because of McNabney’s remarkable fluidity. The Symphony in G major, Op. 12, No. 2 is also very lighthearted, with the exception of the Adagio, which plunges the listener into a tormented, but very moving atmosphere.
(Translated by Gianmarco Segato)
