In pre-revolutionary France, the salon was a meeting place for an international aristocracy. Noted aristocrats would stage several salon concerts for invited audiences every month. The 'character piece' or 'portrait piece', often inspired by and representing a celebrated Parisian personality of the time, thrived in this intimate environment.

This CD features a collection of grand and lively harpsichord 'character pieces' by composers Forqueray, Duphly and Ballbastre brought to life through Anderson's deft and accomplished playing.

“Lively and sensitive ... lived up to the flamboyance of many of the pieces with exciting displays of virtuosity ... superb phrasing and sympathetic understanding of the music.”

— The Scotsman

La de Caze download

La Portugaise (Antoine Forqueray trans. for harpsichord by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Forqueray)
La Bellmont (Antoine Forqueray trans. for harpsichord by Jean-Baptiste-Antoine Forqueray)
La de Drummond (Jacques Duphly)
La Forqueray (Jacques Duphly)
Chaconne (Jacques Duphly)
Menuets (Jacques Duphly)
La Felix (Jacques Duphly)
Les Graces (Jacques Duphly)
La de Belombre (Jacques Duphly)
La de Caze (Claude Bénigne Balbastre)
La d'Héricourt (Claude Bénigne Balbastre)
La Ségur (Claude Bénigne Balbastre)
La Monmartel ou la Brunoy (Claude Bénigne Balbastre)
La Suzanne (Claude Bénigne Balbastre)
La Berville (Claude Bénigne Balbastre)
La Lugeac (Claude Bénigne Balbastre)