Search - Jean-Baptiste Lully, Kevin Mallon, Aradia Baroque Ensemble :: Lully - Ballet Music for the Sun King / Mary Enid Haines · Aradia Baroque Ensemble · Kevin Mallon

Ignore the review below. There is no danger here.

David Leeson | 10/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a terrific disc: it's one of my personal favourites, and I recommend it highly. The Aradia Ensemble plays very well under the direction of Kevin Mallon, and Haines' singing is excellent: her duet with Nafziger on track 3, "Récits Italiens chantés par Mademoiselle de la Barre et la Signora Anna Bergerotti," is quite beautiful. This disc is not quite as good as a more recent release, "Les Divertissements de Versailles" by William Christie and Les Arts Florissants, but at the low Naxos price this one's a bargain. If you're a Lulliste like myself, you'll want both of them, without question.Like "music fan" below, I prefer period performances, especially when it comes to French Baroque music. But in my opinion, his review of this disc is nonsense. The Aradia Ensemble provides an authentic performance on period instruments. Kazoos are included on _one_ track, as a substitute for an obsolete monochord instrument: the trumpet marine. The single string of the trumpet marine creates a brassy buzz that sounds a lot like a kazoo, believe it or not. Far from an historical perversion, the result is quite authentic, and comical too, as the composer intended. So don't let "music fan's" prejudices put you off: this disc is as authentic as it is entertaining."

An enchanting and refreshing delight

Keith E Brenneman | Saskatoon, SK | 02/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music is so uplifting --- it seduces the listener to enter another world. Both sopranos, Haines and Nafziger, are wonderful. But Nafziger, without a doubt, is essentially the highlight of this CD. Her voice soars to ethereal heights with stately conviction, all the while conveying such warmth, comfort and passion. This is a great young talent that will one day command international attention. The Aradia ensemble should be congratulated for presenting such music with absolute precision and a depth of character. Bravo!"

Delicate & uplifting

John Willoughby | Amherst, MA | 05/30/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This isn't the most dramatic of discs, but it's very relaxing, bathing the listener in a smooth, gentle sound that to me feels like it could be devotional religeous music. (That it isn't only adds to my own enjoyment.) It doesn't grab attention but rather sneaks up on the conciousness, while some of the playful melodies stick in the mind without the listener being aware of where they have heard them.



I bought this disc because I wanted to hear some Lully, and this was a cheaper Naxos disc, but I want to hear some more now that I have experieced the delight of this composer."