Marin Marais, a leading exponent of the viola da gamba, began his career studying the instrument at a very young age and later became a court gambist for the King of France.
Compositional Technique
Marais and Couperin used evocative, sometimes enigmatic, titles for their pieces, which served as starting points for melodies, rhythms, and atmospheres, but the music always remained paramount.
Composer Biography
François Couperin, known as 'Le Grand' in his time, was born into an important musical family and primarily composed for the harpsichord and chamber music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Marin Marais and François Couperin, two French composers, created works marked by intimacy, refinement, and a witty sensitivity unique in their time.
Instruments
The performers, Susie Napper and Mélisande Corriveau, both play on historic bass viols made by the London luthier Barak Norman, dating from 1691 and 1703.
Composer Biography
Jean-Philippe Rameau's only collection of chamber music, published in 1741, features pieces that are often portraits of his friends or acquaintances.
Compositional Technique
Couperin used the term 'ordres' to designate his harpsichord suites, possibly to impose order on his dances, portraits, and evocations, similar to La Fontaine's fables.
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