This volume of Les Suites des Indes galantes, arranged in 5 parts, is taken from copies of scores made around 1755 for the Comte d'Artois, now kept at the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal.
This arrangement was made with a certain taste and with satisfactory care, which justifies its being published today. The pieces, never transposed, are grouped in suites of the same key, major or minor, in accordance with tradition. The separate parts refer to at least two violins, two oboes or flutes, a quinte de violon, bassoons and basses, i.e. around two instruments per section ("partie"), for a total of around ten players. By excluding tailles de violon, trumpets, timpani and harpsichord, the anonymous arranger enabled Rameau’s overtures and dances to be performed at a very low cost, then as now; as most of the pieces are arranged for three parts, they can even be performed by a string trio.