Marais, Turini, Merula, Dornel

Released in 1987 by the Accolade label, this recording showcases the Quadro Hotteterre, a chamber ensemble dedicated to the historically informed performance of Baroque music. The album serves as a curated exploration of the French and Italian Baroque styles, juxtaposing the works of Marin Marais and Louis-Antoine Dornel with the earlier, more experimental Italian compositions of Francesco Turini and Tarquinio Merula. By grouping these specific composers, the album highlights the transition from the vibrant, expressive Italian early Baroque to the refined, ornate French style that would dominate the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

The ensemble takes its name from the Hotteterres, a legendary family of French woodwind instrument makers and musicians who were central to the musical life of the French court. Their choice of name reflects the group's commitment to period-appropriate aesthetics and technical rigor. Upon its release, the recording was received by critics as a technically precise addition to the burgeoning movement of period-instrument ensembles, noted specifically for the clarity of its harpsichord and recorder integration in interpreting the varied emotional landscapes of the included sonatas and suites.