Boismortier : Daphnis & Chloé (2002)

"n the pantheon of the French Baroque, there are Lully and Rameau, the two big-shots, and Mondonville and Boismortier, who were (and are) considered “popular”. To that I would add “delightful”, and this pastorale is a delicious series of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, albeit substantial hors d’oeuvres and desserts. It seems that only Hervé Niquet (as he proved with his fantastic Naxos recording of Boismortier’s Don Quixote and the Duchess) has the right, light touch for this sort of thing–in Minkowski’s or Gardiner’s hands it easily could become overblown. Niquet takes it for the divertissement it is, but he also makes us realize precisely how great Boismortier is–despite his popularity. Tristan und Isolde it isn’t, but if a soft texture and pastel palette is what you’re looking for, look no further." (Classics Today)