‘Surprising Royer’ is the rather odd title of the latest album from Christophe Rousset, presumably an attempt to drum up interest in the musical rarities on the recording. Pancrace Royer is, granted, hardly a household name nowadays, even if he was once the toast of 18th-century Paris, as well as known as Rameau. But surprising isn’t necessarily the word I’d choose to describe this tour of his orchestral music, which, though certainly enjoyable, hardly breaks the French Baroque mould. 

Royer grew up in a family with strong connections to the court of Louis XIV, via his father who worked for the king. He became renowned as an organist and harpsichordist – and Rousset has made not one but two previous recordings of Royer’s only book of keyboard pieces, published in 1746. With roles at court, the Opéra and the Concert Spirituel, Royer was right at the heart of French musical life as a theatrical composer. Recorded here for the first time, the orchestral suites are drawn from four of his stage-works.

The recording certainly offers its fill of dances, airs and marches, played with spark and subtlety...