Marin Marais and François Couperin were meticulous in their musical notation, inventing many expression marks and ornaments to ensure precise execution.
Historical Context
During the first third of the 18th century, France saw three rulers: Louis XIV, his nephew Philippe d'Orléans as Regent, and the young Louis XV.
Compositional Technique
Marin Marais's fourth book of viol pieces, including the 'Suite d'un Goût Étranger' and 'Le Labyrinthe', explores the tonal universe, using the viol's uneven response to different notes for poetic effect.
Composition History
This album features pieces from Marin Marais's last two Livres de viole, published in 1717 and 1725, a period of artistic fertility amidst political and social changes.
Composer Biography
Marin Marais, a talented composer and 'Viol player in the King's Chamber', produced a rich and contrasted output.
Instruments
French viols, unlike English ones, feature a slightly sloped, thinner neck and a seventh string, which adds depth to the instrument's timbre and makes it suitable for expressing melancholy.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in two locations: Château de Chambord from September 6 to 9, 2016, and the church of Franc-Waret (Belgium) on June 13, 2017.
