Bill & Friends in Bloomington, MN

The
Bill
in the
Bill & Friends
title of this release, which made classical best-seller lists in the late autumn of 2024, is the legendary keyboardist and conductor
William Christie
, who apparently has retained his American nickname after more than 50 years in France. This album marks his 80th birthday, and in its way, it is a fine celebration of his work and influence. Like many of the best classical releases, it succeeds in multiple ways. First and most prominently, it showcases the work of some of the many younger musicians
Christie
has trained, who appear, sometimes with
himself, in small chamber combinations. Viol player
Myriam Rignol
is especially noteworthy in this regard; hear her in the murky little-known pieces from the Kraków Manuscript, including one by the obscure and ridiculously named
Nicolas Hotman
. That brings one to a second major attraction here, namely that much of the music is unknown, although there are a few pieces by the likes of
Marais
and
Rameau
. The album has the delightful flavor of a tour led by
through some lesser-known bonbons of the French Baroque repertory. The
Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor
of
Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre
has been recorded before, but other pieces appear to be world premieres even if they are not claimed as such. Finally, the album comes with a note by the director of the new Museum of Music at the Paris Philharmonie, discussing some of the instruments used; the pair of contrasting harpsichords showcased by
Justin Taylor
is of special interest. This is a thoroughly enjoyable album for everyone from Baroque specialists to general lovers of the period. ~ James Manheim