Marin Marais: Pièces de viole, Livre II

John Dornenburg, viola da gamba
Malcolm Proud, harpsichord.

The music on this disc provides a tour de force of Marais’ creative genius, ranging from the deceptive simplicity of the Chaconne en Rondeau in G Major to the overt virtuosity of the Caprice and Boutade in D minor,  the Boutade and Fantaisie in A Major, and the Fantaisie, Gigue, and Fugue gaie in E minor. A special feature is the inclusion of two Tombeaus written to commemorate the deaths of Marais’ teachers, Ste. Colombe and Lully, as well as Jean-Henri d’Anglebert’s lament for his teacher, Chambonnières. The integrity, imagination, and musical passion of Marais’ Livre II place it at the very apex of French instrumental composition in the Baroque Era.