CHARLES DOLLÉ (1710-1755): Sonata I in A Minor, La Favorite, La Précieuse, Les Regrets, JEAN BARRIÈRE (1670-1747): Sonata IV in G, LOUIS DE CAIX D’HERVELOIS (1680-1759): Sonata 2 in G Minor, JEAN BODIN DE BOISMORTIER (1689-1755): Suite in D.

Description: The origin and development of the pardessus de viole — known in France as "the woman's violin" — coincided with the increasing prominence of the violin in French instrumental fashion. Most of the works performed here are unpublished. At the time of their composition, these pieces catered to a large public, responding to widespread demand for refined entertainment. They are without exception charming, playful, luminous and exquisitely elegant Mélisande Corriveau (pardessus de viole), Eric Milnes (harpsichord).