Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood - Arne: Eight Overtures (2007)

In deciding to record the works of English composer Thomas Arne in 1973, Christopher Hogwood and The Academy of Ancient Music had no idea that they were laying the foundations of an impressive part of the Oiseau-Lyre catalogue that would include numerous rediscoveries and would follow the evolution of “historically informed” interpretations. Pejoratively named “Baroqueux” in France at the beginning, this movement, which was initially seen as a passing trend, continued to grow throughout the world with increasing quality in execution. This founding album must be listened to in its historical perspective at a time where everything remained to be done in terms of articulation, style and the reappropriation of instruments that had disappeared or changed greatly with time. A man of unpleasant and confrontational character, Thomas Arne (1710-1778) nevertheless wrote aristocratic music that was pristinely stylish and elegant. Hogwood’s style is also present in this first recording with his dancing rhythms and slow expressive movements. The very young musicians in this newly-established ensemble, like the violinist Monica Huggett (20 years old), play alongside seasoned musicians who try themselves at period instruments, such as Alan Civil, solo horn of the Philharmonia Orchestra. Civil plays natural horn here after having recorded the solo horn part of the song For No One by The Beatles in 1966, which is considered as the “performance of his life”. There are no boundaries for British musicians.