Princess Anne Henriette of France (1727–1752), daughter of King Louis XV, was a passionate musician and skilled gambist. Her life was short (she died of smallpox aged only 24), but her legacy was great. Jean-Baptiste Forqueray dedicated his virtuosic ‘Pièces de viole’ to the young princess, and Louis de Caix d’Hervelois similarly dedicated his fifth book of viol pieces to her. Young Italian gambist Maddalena del Gobbo has attempted to recreate Henriette’s musical world at the Palace of Versailles in Henriette: The Princess of the Viol – del Gobbo’s debut recording with Deutsche Grammophon.

Already I have listened to this CD perhaps 15 times. It is exceptional, and an early favourite for 2017. Del Gobbo is a wonderful gambist, and she elicits a generous array of delicious sounds from her instrument. Case in point is the jubilant third movement (‘La Muzette’) of Marin Marais’s Suite in G major, elegantly performed by del Gobbo. In contrast, d’Hervelois’s ‘Plainte’ is at once luscious, heartbreaking and lassitudinous. Del Gobbo’s accompanying band of gamba, theorbo and harpsichord plays equally superbly with unity and lightness of touch. If, like me, you’re a Jordi Savall fan, you will delight in del Gobbo’s moving tribute to Princess Henriette.

Alexandra Mathew