Your Recorder Community

Although it bears no such designation in the title, this selection from Rameau’s first set of concerted harpsichord pieces is essentially a sonatina. It does, however, have a subtitle: ‘Le Vézinet.’

The alto has a low E in b. 15 that is produced by fingering low F while half stopping the foot joint with the knee. This is easiest to bring off when seated, perhaps with a block under one foot sufficient to raise the knee to the level of the recorder. The tenor part is rather relentless, so if need be, omit the parenthetical notes (bb .45 & 75) to permit extra breathing space. One or both repeats may be forgone if desired. Be sure to distinguish between the short trill and the mordent. They look similar, but the mordent has a thin vertical slash through it.

St. Pierre performs all three parts on the accompanying multitrack recording. The ARS library holds other Rameau trios he has set. (Keyword search: Rameau) Duration: 3:15 (second repeat omitted)

The ARS libraries offer several other Rameau adaptations for various recorder trios.
From Rameau's Pièces de clavecin en concert:  Loure, Rondeau vif, Rondeau gracieux, Tambourin, and Air gracieux