Friday, February 18, 2011

The Friday Phonograph

Image of an Egyptian Maiden from Jean-Philippe Rameau

by Anne French






Egypt has thoroughly dominated worldwide news in recent weeks. So when I spotted a video of Jean-Philippe Rameau's L'Egyptienne (The Egyptian Maiden), it seemed like a timely selection for this week's "Phonograph." Composed as a section of Rameau's Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin in 1726, the title is a reminder of Egypt's enormous influence on the human psyche over centuries of culture. The music itself is delightfully playful and coquettish, executed magically here by pianist Grigory Sokolov, who maintains its embellishments with delicacy and grace. Here's to a light-hearted start to a wonderful weekend.
Posted by Anne French
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4 comments:

Rodney Punt said...

That's what I like to see - music as part of the fabric of real life events and socio-political movements. We who love music are not detached from the larger reality. There are constant interactions, even if across the historic divide like your entry of today. Bravo.

Rameau is such an amazing composer. Just heard last eve a work of his at the Los Angeles Chamber orchestra Baroque series at the Zipper Hall with fine harpsichordist and conductor, Jory Vinikour.

February 18, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Anne French said...

I have seen this video on YouTube for a long time... long before the overthrow of Mubarak... but the title "L'Egyptienne" just jumped out at me with my senses so recently attuned to all things Egypt. I adore Rameau and have the complete set of Suites and Nouvelles Suites de Pièces de Clavecin on CD played by William Christie. I'll bet last night's performance was wonderful.

February 18, 2011 at 9:03 PM
jvinikour said...

I hate to be annoying, but... "L'Egyptienne" means "The Gypsy girl." Nothing to do with Egypt. This was the common term for Gypsy in France at Rameau's time....

March 2, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Rodney Punt said...

Ha! Good for Jory! His residency in Paris and background in Baroque styles and language usage have clarified an easy to make misinterpretation of the term.

March 3, 2011 at 11:52 PM

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