Jean-Baptiste Forqueray published his father Antoine Forqueray's viola da gamba works as harpsichord pieces in 1747, two years after Antoine's death.
Historical Context
Jean-Baptiste Forqueray published his father's works for both viola da gamba and harpsichord, recognizing that the viola da gamba was disappearing from the French music scene by the mid-18th century.
Compositional Technique
The pieces on this album are named after people of the era, often friends or acquaintances of Forqueray, rather than traditional dance titles.
Critical Reception
A 1738 review in the Mercure de France noted that Antoine Forqueray's pieces were so difficult that only he and his son could perform them elegantly.
Performer Biography
Stefano Lorenzetti, the harpsichordist on this recording, studied with Kenneth Gilbert and has recorded several discs for Italian labels, including a world debut recording of works by Girolamo Dalla Casa.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Antoine Forqueray, a celebrated viola da gamba player, was known for his "capricious, moody and bizarre" character, which influenced his music.
Compositional Technique
Jean-Baptiste Forqueray's harpsichord transcriptions of his father's viola da gamba pieces maintain the original low tessitura, resulting in a "dark and grandiose" tone.
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