Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689-1755): Sonates, Cantates, & Suites

By Andrew Arceci

Item Number: NX.CRC3548

The period instrument ensemble, Arcanum, presents a beautiful program of works by Boismortier. The baroque ensemble Arcanum was born when Tony Boutte (tenor) and Colin St. Martin (traverso) were asked to put together a concert for the International Conference on the History of Alchemy and Chymistry, held in Philadelphia, PA during the summer of 2007. The concert focused on music that was in some way connected with alchemy, chemistry or magic. One meaning for the term "arcanum" is "a deep secret or mystery" which suited the theme of the event well. The concert was extremely well received, and the ensemble (made up of the two core members, plus harpsichord, cello, violin and viola) was encouraged to continue. Just two years later, Boutte and St. Martin found themselves in Coral Gables, FL where Boutte is now on the voice faculty of the Frost School of Music. (St. Martin is still on faculty at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD, but spends most of his time between performing jobs and Coral Gables.).