03 Jan Press Release: The Poet & the Prodigy
LES DÉLICES TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM THE POET & THE PRODIGY ON BACH’S BIRTHDAY, MARCH 21, 2025
Les Délices proudly announces the release of its seventh album The Poet & the Prodigy on March 21st, 2025. The CD’s release coincides with international celebrations of “Early Music Day” as well as the birthday of J.S. Bach, whose music is featured alongside that of French Baroque composer François Couperin. LD Founder, Artistic Director, and oboist Debra Nagy and longtime collaborator, harpsichordist Mark Edwards are featured in Couperin’s 1er Concert in G major from Concert Royaux and Bach’s Sonata in g minor, BWV1030b as well as ingenious new arrangements for oboe and harpsichord of Couperin’s 6me ordre for solo harpsichord and Bach’s Concerto in c minor.
The full album will be available from Bandcamp and on all streaming services beginning Friday March 21, 2025. The album will be available for pre-order beginning March 3, 2025.
To mark the release of The Poet & the Prodigy, Les Délices will present an informal, free community event dubbed “Bach’s Birthday Bash” at BottleHouse Brewery (Cleveland Heights location) on March 22nd, 2025 at 3:00 pm featuring live music by Bach.
Musical Kinship and Collaboration
The Poet & Prodigy explores the intriguing relationship between two musical giants: François Couperin (pictured left) and J.S. Bach. Though no documented meeting exists, their lives and careers demonstrate remarkable parallels: both were revered organists who spent the early decades of their careers crafting imaginative chamber music. Bach was clearly familiar with Couperin’s music having copied Couperin’s Les Bergeries in 1722. Indeed, while both men were entrenched in their own distinctive milieu, they showed an appreciation for music created beyond their geographical boundaries, especially from Italy. For Couperin, the influence of Italian composer Arcangelo Corelli can be heard in his virtuosic flourishes, walking bass lines, and interest in imitative, abstract counterpoint. For Bach, copying, studying, and imitating concertos by Italian masters would deeply affect his output in both the secular and sacred realms.
Beyond the historical context, The Poet & the Prodigy celebrates the artistic partnership of Nagy and Edwards. The duo enjoys a fruitful, collaborative relationship through their work with Les Délices. In this program, both instruments take center stage as soloists and play together as musical partners. Says Nagy, “It’s such a joy every time I play with Mark. In the context of Les Délices, he’s most often a pillar of support in the continuo section. But it’s great to work as two soloists. I was amazed at the flexibility and richness I felt performing the Bach double concerto with him.”
Reimagined Masterworks
Les Délices concerts frequently involve new arrangements of Baroque works crafted by Artistic Director Debra Nagy. For The Poet & the Prodigy, Nagy’s skillful arrangements, using historical precedent and techniques, breathe new life into works by Bach and Couperin. Nagy explains, “arrangement and flexible instrumentation were key practices for both Bach and Couperin so we have adopted those guiding principles in creating this program. We find the results extremely enjoyable – and we hope you do too!”
Bach’s Birthday Bash: Celebrating the Release of The Poet & the Prodigy
To mark the release of The Poet & the Prodigy, Les Délices will present an informal, free community event at BottleHouse Brewery (Cleveland Heights location) on March 22nd, 2025 at 3:00 pm featuring live music. Joining Debra Nagy and Mark Edwards to perform music by J.S. Bach will be violinist Shelby Yamin and cellist Rebecca Landell. Copies of the new album will be available for purchase.