Musique Baroque ? A new book about Ancient Music and its performance

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Europe was filled with music. Everywhere, the practice of music was being organised, developed and structured, supported by the presence of great founders: Monteverdi, ‘Inventor of the Opera’, Rameau, ‘Founder of Harmony’, J.S. Bach, ‘Father of all Music’, and other well-known names: Couperin, Vivaldi, Handel, Purcell, Lully...

The music of this period, known in the meantime as ‘Baroque music’, underwent a major revival in the 20th century and is now played more often than ever. It occupies an important place in the programming of concert halls and radio stations, and reaches a large and eclectic audience. Faced with this craze, the time has come to take stock: can we precisely define what baroque music is? Why play it today? On what can we base the regeneration of practices that will continue to nourish the fascination of musicians and listeners?

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In order to carry out this reflection, we discuss compositional techniques, ornamentation and basso-continuo, our relationship with time, the written word, historical sources, the musician's relationship with his instrument and what enables it to be a vehicle of intensity and expression.

This book is designed for music lovers and musicians alike, to help them better understand, listen to and play Baroque music.
Release date: 5 March 2025
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