After early French violin concertos with Johannes Pramsohler and North German cello concertos with Gulrim Choï, it is now the turn of Ensemble Diderot’s harpsichordist to distinguish himself in this genre: Philippe Grisvard has chosen the repertoire of composers from the court of Frederick II, thus continuing Ensemble Diderot’s comprehensive exploration of the style of the Berlin School. The decision not to include Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach in this program facilitates the rehabilitation and rediscovery of composers whose contribution to the concerto genre is no less important. The result is a completely new program of virtuoso works in which the spirit of Bach father and son shines through time and again.

The repertoire of this CD guides us elegantly through all of these themes with an abundance and liveliness that only active music listening can give us. The following paragraphs are intended to provide background information and to narrate stories about the composers who enhanced music during the first decades of the Enlightenment – without striving to replace the live musical experience.

The Violin sonata in D major (HWV 371) was composed (c. 1749-50) by George Frideric Handel, for violin and keyboard (harpsichord). Other catalogues of Handel's music have referred to the work as HG xxvii,47; and HHA iv/4,28. This sonata represents Handel's last piece of chamber music. The piece was not published by Walsh. The designation Opus 1 No.13 was first made in the Chrysander edition. A typical performance of the work takes about twelve minutes.

Karl Fasch, the son of the famous Kapellmeister of the court of Zerbst, Johann Friedrich Fasch, was harpsichordist at the Prussian court from 1756 until his death. Underemployed by Friedrich II and underestimated by musicologists, he has been forgotten for a long time. Philippe Grisvard is preparing to rectify this injustice with a program consisting of world-premiere recordings that will make it possible to discover an original and visionary composer. The Arts Desk said of Grisvard's previous release on Audax of Handel's keyboard works: 'And what Grisvard does so well is recreate what a contemporary observer described as Handel's uncommon brilliance and command of finger that amazing force and energy.