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.

Played on original instruments, the works on this album by composers such as Boismortier, Naudot and Dupuits showcase the instruments’ virtuosity. A duo by Chédeville for two musettes references the musette’s pastoral history and the harmonically exciting trios by Dugué and Naudot are offset by the beautiful simplicity of solo works by Braun and Dornel for flute and harpsichord respectively.

‘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

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

TRACK LIST:
1–3. Alexandre-Julien Dugué (1714–1780) Trio Sonata No. 3 in C (from Sonates en Trio, Op. 4)
4–8. Esprit-Philippe Chédeville (1696–1762) Galant No. 5 in G (from Duo Galants pour deux musettes, Op. 5 [pub. 1740])
9–12. A. Tolou (fl. 1700s) Sonata No. 1 in C (from 6 Sonatas [pub. 1741])
13–16. Jean-Baptiste Dupuits (fl. 1741–57) Sonata No. 6 in G (from 6 Sonatas for vielle and basso continuo, Op. 3)
17–20. Jean-Daniel Braun (fl. 1728–40) Suite in G minor (from Différentes pièces sans basse [1740])
21–22. Colin Charpentier (fl. 1700s) Amusement No. 3 in C (publ. 1740s)
23–27. Louis-Antoine Dornel (c. 1680–af. 1756) Harpsichord Suite No. 1 in A minor (1731)
28–32. Joseph Bodin de Boismoitier (1689–1755) Suite No. 3 in G (from 6 Suites, Op. 27 [pub. 1730])
33–38. Jacques-Christophe Naudot (c. 1690–1762) Babiole No. 2 in C (from 6 Babioles, Op. 10 [c. 1732])
39–41. Fête rustique No. 6 in G (from 6 Fêtes rustiques, Op. 8 [c. 1732])

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Recorded at Carole Nash Recital Room, Royal Northern College of Music, 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, will also be available on streaming services

Friends in High Places was supported by Continuo Foundation and was released on a limited edition DigiSleeve CD and on all digital platforms on 21 August 2026. Purchase now from Presto Music. The album will be launched in a concert at RNCM on 18 November, also supported by Continuo Foundation.