Le Roy s'amuse

The French composer, violinist and organist Michel-Richard Delalande (1657-1726) was born the 15th child of a tailor. He was organist at four Parisian churches, and harpsichord teacher at court to three princesses, the daughters of Louis XIV. In 1689, two years after the death of Jean-Baptiste Lully, Delalande became the king's musical favourite and superintendent of court music.

Delalande's extensive output includes church music commissioned by the king (including, as a highlight, his "Grands Motets" for soloists, choir and instruments), but also entertaining works, such as his "Symphonies pour les Soupers du Roy". His works bring together the French and Italian styles.

The five selected dances come from a collection of 300 individual movements for an upper voice with basso continuo, which Delalande loosely combined into suites. This suite, newly arranged by Albert Loritz, begins, as was customary at the time, with a festive movement in the style of the French overture. (Annette Kutzer)