Date: |
Sat, 13 Jan 2001 09:53:43 +1100 |
Subject: |
|
From: |
|
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
Marin Marais was the greatest of viol composers. Had he written for
instruments that are 'mainstream' and 'popular' today he would be as highly
regarded as other barqoue greats. Sadly the genius of Marin Marais was
exiled into obscurity, along with his beloved viola da gamba. Many
textbooks continue to perpetuate ridiculous ideas about the viol's demise
due to its 'weak and ineffectual' tone. Some even tout the notion that the
cello is an 'evolved' or 'improved' viol. Fortunately the film 'Tous Les
Matins du Monde' helped to dispel some of this nonsense.
Fact: the viol is capable of a light but cutting tone of remarkable
colourfulness, clarity and beauty. Fact: the viol has a distinct ancestry
to the cello. Together they are an example of convergent evolution.
Marais' life (1656-1728) spanned a good portion of the mid-barqoue period.
The full breadth of his genius is revealed in the five-volume work, "Pieces
de Violes" which contains more than 600 individual pieces. Marais' five
volumes serve to chart the enormous changes in French instrumental music
between 1686 when the first volume was published, and 1725 when the fifth
and final book went to press.
His music is rich, beautiful, and soulful, perfectly matched to the viola
da gamba with its incisive and achingly beautiful voice.
I would also recommend recordings by Paolo Pandolfo; Richard Boothby; and
Les Voix Humaines.
Frank
|
|
|