Noel Suisse XII - Grand jeu et Duo

As I need to let my Langlais movement "sit" and digest before I record, I turned to some Christmas music to make my next few uploads. Patrick (PLRT) just uploaded this same noel the other day by Balbastre. Here is Daquin's famous version. It's every bit as formulaic as he described in his introduction. I've followed Daquin's instructions with the registrations, but I've gone beyond them and fortified them with what this instrument has to offer. Patrick mentioned decadence, and I certainly went for that. Also, I've added great European reverb (IR) and changed the temperament to a mean-tone. So here you have authentic inspiration infused with some panache and drama. I like it... I hope you do, too.

(Stealing this bio from another prolific uploader who writes very good descriptions, Agnus_Dei): Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772) was born in Paris, to a family originating from Italy (where their name was D'Aquino). One of his great-uncles was a professor of Hebrew at the Collège de France. Daquin was a musical child prodigy. He performed for the court of King Louis XIV at the age of six. He was for a while a pupil of Louis Marchand. At the age of 12, he became organist at the Sainte-Chapelle, and in the following year took a similar post at the church of the Petit St. Antoine.

Claude Daquin never lacked for work as an organist. In 1727 he was appointed organist at the church of St. Paul in Paris, ahead of Jean-Philippe Rameau who was also a candidate. Five years later he succeeded his teacher Louis Marchand as organist at the Église des Cordeliers. In 1739 he became organist to the king. In 1755 he was made titular organist at the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, succeeding Antoine Calvière.

By reputation a dazzling performer at the keyboard, Daquin was courted by the aristocracy and his great expertise at the organ drew large crowds to hear him. He was known for his "unfaltering precision and evenness" at both the harpsichord and organ.