"Le Meilleur De Moi-Même"

Released in 1988 under the La Voix De Son Maître label, Le Meilleur De Moi-Même serves as a career-spanning retrospective of Maurice André, the French trumpeter who is widely credited with reviving the baroque trumpet as a solo instrument. By the late 1980s, André had already spent decades performing with the world's most prestigious orchestras and recording an extensive catalog of classical transcriptions. This compilation was curated to distill his virtuosic influence, capturing the clear, bell-like tone and technical precision that defined his approach to the instrument.

The album reflects a period when André’s influence had transcended the classical community, reaching a broader public audience through his frequent television appearances and accessible recording style. The collection was designed to highlight his mastery over the piccolo trumpet, focusing on high-register baroque pieces by composers such as Vivaldi, Handel, and Telemann. Upon its release, it was received as a definitive summation of his contribution to classical music, solidifying his status as a legendary figure in 20th-century trumpet performance.