Album Notes

Liaisons Plaisantes was formed in September 2005 to play a dance for the Interrupted Harvest event at Fort Klock. Ron Burch, Olof Jansson, Marilee Urbanczyk, and Sue-Ann Wheadon banded together harpsichord, fiddle, cello, and whistles to create a period sound for dancers to move around the floor in various steps and figures. Ron was the source of our name, which is a play on words of the 1782 Pierre Choderlos de Laclos novel’s title Les Liaisons dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons); in contrasts to the nasty meetings in the novel, ours are “pleasant joinings”. In 2008, the original quartet was joined by Susan Casler on the C clarinet and fiddle. We like to think of ourselves as the “house band” for Sir William, and can often be heard at his early home, Old Fort Johnson, and his baronial mansion, Johnson Hall.
As period musicians we travel to historical events and sites to share our music with other living history re-enactors and the public that comes to see history brought to life. Over the years, we were often asked if a recording of our performances was available, and thus this album was conceived. Without the encouragement and financial support of our friends at Old Fort Johnson and Johnson Hall, however, this recording would not have passed from dream to reality in May 2010. We hope you enjoy listening to the music Sir William, his family, friends, and guests enjoyed listening to centuries ago.

Look for us at events throughout Sir William’s home territory, the lovely Mohawk Valley; we love to meet new friends. Thanks for listening!