Marais: Suites à deux violes

Album Description

Dive into the rich and intricate world of Baroque music with Marin Marais' "Suites à deux violes," a captivating collection of pieces performed by the ensemble À Deux Violes Esgales. Released in 2015 under the Musica Ficta label, this album offers a unique opportunity to experience the mastery of Marin Marais, a renowned French composer and viol player of the 17th century.

Spanning 54 minutes, the album features 19 tracks that showcase Marais' exceptional compositional skills and his deep understanding of the viol. The suites, originally published in his "Premier livre de pièces à une et deux violes" and "Deuxième livre de pièces de violes," are meticulously performed, bringing to life the elegant and expressive music of the Baroque era.

The album begins with the Suite in G Major, a lively and engaging set of pieces that includes a Prélude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gigue, Gavotte en Rondeau, Menuet, Gavotte, Fantaisie en Echo, and Chaconne. Each movement is distinct, yet they flow seamlessly together, creating a cohesive and enjoyable listening experience.

Following this, the album presents the Suite in D Minor, another beautifully crafted suite that includes a Prélude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gigue, Gavotte, Menuet, and the poignant "Tombeau de Mr. Meliton." This suite, like the first, is a testament to Marais' ability to evoke a range of moods and atmospheres through his music.

One of the standout features of this album is the inclusion of "Les voix humaines," a transcription for archiluth by Thomas Dunford. This piece, along with the others, is performed with a level of refinement and expressiveness that is sure to captivate even the most discerning of listeners.

Whether you're a seasoned fan of Baroque music or a newcomer to the genre, "Suites à deux violes" is an album that deserves a place in your collection. The ensemble À Deux Violes Esgales, with their impeccable technique and deep understanding of the music, bring Marais' compositions to life in a way that is both authentic and engaging. So, sit back, relax, and let the enchanting sounds of Marin Marais transport you to the courts and salons of 17th-century France.

September 18, 2015

2015 Pavane Records

2015 Association A 2 Violes Esgales

About Marin Marais

Marin Marais, born in Paris in 1656, was a virtuoso viol player and a prolific composer whose works have left an indelible mark on the Baroque music landscape. His journey began under the tutelage of the renowned Jean-Baptiste Lully and the enigmatic Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe, from whom he absorbed the nuances of the viol. Marais' career flourished at the royal court of Versailles, where he was appointed as a court musician in 1676 and later as ordinaire de la chambre du roy pour la viole in 1679, a position he held until 1725.

Marais' compositions are a testament to his mastery of the viol, with five books of Pièces de viole that showcase his technical prowess and emotional depth. Beyond his viol works, he also composed four operas and various instrumental and vocal pieces, demonstrating his versatility as a composer. His music is notable for its balance between the harmonic idioms of the past and the innovations of his time, making it as relevant today as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries. Marais' legacy extends beyond the concert hall, with his life and music gaining wider recognition through cinematic portrayals, further cementing his status as a central figure in the French school of viol playing.