Marin Marais, far from being merely prolific, developed a personal and expressive musical language rich in harmonic detail.
Instruments
The recording features a 7-string bass viol made by Pierre Jaquier in 1984, modeled after a Colichon instrument.
Composer Biography
Marin Marais, a central figure in French viol history, was trained by the gambist Sainte-Colombe and composer Lully.
Compositional Technique
In Marin Marais's works, the suite functions as a flexible framework rather than a strictly organized whole with organically linked movements, unlike some German composers.
Composition History
The 'Couplets de folies' by Marin Marais is his only work to use a borrowed theme, a harmonic scheme popular in Spain and France.
Composer Biography
Marin Marais's compositional career coincided with his tenure as 'violiste ordinaire du Roi' (ordinary viol player to the King) from 1679 to 1725.
Compositional Technique
Marin Marais was innovative in adding continuo accompaniment to the viol, a practice not common before him.
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Marais, M.: Pieces De Viole, Book 5
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Marin Marais: Suite D'Un Goût Etranger / Pièces De Viole Du IV Livre, 1717
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Marais, M.: Pieces De Viole - Suites in A Minor / G Major / D Minor
