FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES – Amanda Babington, musette • Baroque In The North
FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES – Amanda Babington, musette • Baroque In The North - Image 2

FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES – Amanda Babington, musette • Baroque In The North

£14.00 + P&P

Best described as a delicate classical bagpipe, the musette’s patronage by Louis XIV meant that it became a novel plaything of composers, performers and makers seeking Royal favour. However, by the 1760s it had become an integral part of French culture and music-making, featuring in music for the theatre, court and salon, and played by amateurs and virtuosi alike. Disappearing with the French Revolution, the musette was only rediscovered during the 1960s and this album showcases the instrument’s unique sound world and virtuosity in combination with baroque flute, baroque cello and harpsichord.

‘SUPERSONIC’ – Pizzicato
FHR193 Categories: , , ,

Description

Released on a limited edition DigiSleeve CD and on all digital platforms: 21 August 2026

FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

BAROQUE IN THE NORTH
Amanda Babington musette
Claire Babington cello
David Francis harpsichord
with
Martyn Shaw flute
Bart van Troyen musette

Alexandre-Julien DUGUÉ (1714–80)
1–3. Sonates en Trio, Op. 4: No. 3 in C major
Amanda Babington musette
Martyn Shaw flute
Claire Babington cello
David Francis harpsichord

Esprit-Philippe CHÉDEVILLE (1696–1762)
4–8. Duo Galants pour deux musettes, Op. 5: No. 5 in G major (pub. 1740)
Amanda Babington, Bart van Troyen musette

A. TOLOU (fl. 18th century)
9–12. 6 Sonatas: No. 1 in C major (pub. 1741)
Amanda Babington musette
Martyn Shaw flute

Jean-Baptiste DUPUITS (fl. 1741–57)
13–16. 6 Sonatas for Vielle and Basso Continuo, Op. 3: No. 6 in G major
Amanda Babington musette
David Francis harpsichord

Jean-Daniel BRAUN (fl. 1728–40)
17–20. Différentes pièces sans basse: Suite in G minor (1740)
Martyn Shaw flute

Colin CHARPENTIER (fl. 18th century)
21–22. Amusement No. 3 in C major (pub. 1740s)
Amanda Babington musette
Claire Babington cello

Louis-Antoine DORNEL (c. 1680–after 1756)
23–27. Suite No. 1 in A minor for Harpsichord (1731)
David Francis harpsichord

Joseph Bodin de BOISMORTIER (1689–1755)
28–32. 6 Suites, Op. 27: No. 3 in G major (pub. 1730)
Amanda Babington musette
Martyn Shaw flute

Jacques-Christophe NAUDOT (c. 1690–1762)
33–38. 6 Babioles, Op. 10: No. 2 in C major (c. 1732)
Amanda Babington, Bart van Troyen musette

39–41. 6 Fêtes rustiques, Op. 8: No. 6 in G major (c. 1732)
Amanda Babington musette • Martyn Shaw flute
Claire Babington cello
David Francis harpsichord

Baroque In The North
Amanda Babington musette
Claire Babington cello
David Francis harpsichord
with
Martyn Shaw flute
Bart van Troyen musette

Recorded at Carole Nash Recital Room, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, UK, 22–24 July 2025
Produced by Tom Pickering
Recorded, edited and mastered by John Croft (Chiaro Audio)
24bit, 96kHz high resolution recording, editing and mastering

A surround sound, spatial audio mix with Dolby Atmos of this recording, by John Croft, is also available on streaming services

Press Quotes

‘This disc is an interesting and musically compelling survey of what was written for the musette… Given that this disc includes mostly pieces that are not available on disc, it is a substantial addition to the discography, and a must for any lover of 18th-century French music.’ (MusicWeb International)

‘…the performers do a formidable job of exploring the full range of possibilities vividly and with verve. From rustic to courtly styles, they offer their interpretations, thereby not only providing an overview of the compositions’ various forms but also presenting a kind of panorama of the era. Amanda Babington, the central protagonist of this journey into a unique world of sound, proves herself to be a skilled performer. Not only does she have technical mastery of the instrument, but she can also leap and dance through the notes. Her fellow instrumentalists carry this lively vision forward with great energy.’ (‘SUPERSONIC’ – Pizzicato)