Guillemain: Second livre de sonates en quatuor, œuvre XVII
10/30/2020, 18 Tracks, 1:11:06
Featuring
Aude Lestienne
Shiho Ono
Myriam Ropars
Jean-Baptiste Valfré
Kazuya Gunji
Ensemble La Française
Louis-Gabriel Guillemain
Did you know?
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Composition History
Guillemain's Op.17 quartets, titled 'Conversations galantes et amusantes', are reworkings of his earlier harpsichord pieces, with the parts distributed among the instruments to create a dialogue.
Composition History
The quartet, often thought to be a Classical invention, already appeared in the late Baroque period, with only six publications for this specific instrumentation between 1730 and 1756.
Compositional Technique
Guillemain's compositions, particularly for the violin, were known for their extreme virtuosity and difficulty, challenging even his contemporaries.
Composer Biography
Guillemain held the prestigious position of Musicien ordinaire of the King's Chapel and Chamber for Louis XV, the Duke of Chartres, and Mme de Pompadour.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Guillemain's music blends Italian passion in fast movements with French dance phrasing in arias, reflecting the contemporary ideal of 'goûts réunis' (united tastes).
Composer Biography
Despite his successful career, Guillemain was plagued by financial problems and was found dead with self-inflicted stab wounds in 1770.
Composer Biography
Louis-Gabriel Guillemain, the composer, was considered one of the most capable violinists of his time, even exceeding Jean-Marie Leclair in audacity and brio.
