Couperin, F - Les Nations

All eight players are totally absorbed in the style. Their often dense ornamentation never sounds calculated or contrived; their rhythmic flow in slower movements has a captivating insouciance,... — BBC Music Magazine, June 2015, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Thurston Dart was behind these recordings, yet the performance style, with violin vibrato in Les Nations, now appears dated. The Pièces de violes fare better, but the sound is restricted. — BBC Music Magazine, March 2020, 2 out of 5 stars More…

I can honestly say that I really enjoyed every movement … This is my favourite disc in an uneven month’s listening for EMR. — Early Music Review, December 2012 More…

Philippe Pierlot and his ensemble draw out the dark drama of this music in performances that fuse lyricis, with visceral intensity. — BBC Music Magazine, August 2008, 5 out of 5 stars More…