‘Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien’

On the occasion of the “portrait” which is dedicated to them, François Lazarevitch and Justin Taylor join the young gambist Lucile Boulanger in a programme entitled “The Art of the Portrait”. Without palettes or brushes, but with a flute, a viola and a harpsichord, this fabulous trio paints a picture of a practice which made a mark on its era. In 18th century France, there were numerous composers who took over the style of one of their colleagues. They even named their compositions after their masters or fellow musicians, as shown by titles as La Forqueray, La Rameau or La Leclair. Faithful representations or dedications? What we can be sure of is that this game of musical veiled references pushed composers such as Forqueray, Leclair or Rameau to try to outdo one another with inventiveness and virtuosity through ever more astonishing instrumental compositions.