Les Elemens (1995)/ Jean-Fery Rebel

"Les Elemens by Rebel (a pupil of Lully) is a choreographed suite with vivid programmatic content. This is startlingly evident in the opening bars, a representation of Chaos in which all the notes of the harmonic scale are united in a single cluster. Goebel and his Musica Antiqua have always revelled in this kind of extrovert gesture and the listener is captivated by Rebel's often astonishing charivari. The remainder of the suite is harmonically plain, though Rebel maintains a lively musical interest. What a contrast between this and the Telemann sonata which follows. For though the idiom retains a distinctly French bias, the spirit of the piece has a seriousness of purpose which deeply penetrates the elegant rococo veneer of his trios and quartets. Lastly comes ballet music by Gluck. The delightful Alessandro has evident French affinities. Its 8 movements are effectively varied and deftly orchestrated. Especially the Chaconne is impressive. Altogether a most appealing release." (N. Anderson, Gramophone)

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