Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre was the best-known woman composer in France’s Ancien régime under the rule of Louis XIV and Louis XV. From the vantage point of today, she embodies the ideal of the modern, emancipated woman, regarding both her personality and her way of living and working. She was a harpsichordist, organist, virtuoso, a genius at improvisation, teacher and composer: in her, we encounter one of the most extraordinary personalities in the history of music.

In regard to her music, too, this composer has modern traits. She was one of the most experimental musicians of her time and adopted numerous innovative developments in her works. In the vehement quarrel over the supremacy of French or Italian music, she was clearly on the side of the representatives of the réunion des gouts - the unification of musical styles - in opposition to the traditionalists. More or less prominent Italian influences can be heard in all of her works.

 Jacquet de La Guerre composed in all genres, writing sacred and secular music either in the French style or by using Italian “imports”. The quality of her music has maintained its fascinating effect to the present day.

The present recording by the ensemble Musica Fiorita (including such illustrious musicians as David Plantier, Xenia Löffler and Rebeka Rusó), re-issued to celebrate the composer's 350th birthday and the 25th anniversary of the ensemble, offers an interesting insight into the diverse instrumental works of this outstanding composer.