musica Dei donum





CD reviews






"La Gamme et autres morceaux de simphonie"

Trio Sonnerie

rec: [n.d., n.p]
Linn Records - CKD 434 (© 2013) (79'00")
Liner-notes: E
Cover & track-list

Antoine FORQUERAY (1671-1745): Suite for for viola da gamba and bc/harpsichord solo No. 1 in d minor [2,3]; Marin MARAIS (1656-1728): La Gamme en forme de petit Opéraa [1]; Sonnerie de Sainte Geneviève du Mont de Parisa [1]; Sonate à la Marésiennea [1]

Sources: [1] Marin Marais, La gamme et autres morceaux de symphonie, 1723; [2] Antoine Forqueray, Pièces de viole avec la Basse Continuë, 1747; [3] Jean-Baptiste Forqueray, Pieces de Viole, Composées par Mr Forqueray Le Pere, Mises en Pieces de Clavecin par Mr Forqueray Le Fils , 1747

Monica Huggett, violina; Emilia Benjamin, viola da gamba; James Johnstone, harpsichord

In the second half of the 17th century when France was under the rule of Louis XIV, it not only played a key role at the European political scene. Its culture was also at its zenith, with a host of brilliant authors, performing musicians and composers. To the latter category belonged two brilliant gambists who were often seen as rivals and opposite personalities. Forqueray has become exclusively known for his music for the viola da gamba. None of his more than 300 compositions were printed during his lifetime, whereas Marais published five books of pieces for one or two gambas.

Those are the core of his compositional output, but he also contributed to other genres. He wrote four operas, a divertissiment and a ballet which are both lost, and two motets which also have not been preserved. This disc includes an important collection of music for violin, viola da gamba and bc which was printed in 1723. It documents the changes in Marais' orientation: for a long time he was the hero of the advocates of a pure French style, who tried to prevent it being overshadowed by the Italian taste. In his later music, though, Marais himself was clearly influenced by that new style which became increasingly popular in France. In his latest books of gamba music that influence comes to the fore, and the same can be said of the pieces in La Gamme et autres morceaux de simphonie.

It is telling that the longest piece in this collection, La Gamme, has the addition en forme de petit Opéra to its title. It is a sequence of sections in various keys, which follow each other without interruption. It is not only the sequence of various keys which creates strong contrasts, that also flows from the variations in scoring. In some passages the violin has the lead, in others it is the viola da gamba which plays a solo role. Within sections there are also fine contrasts in content which reflects the meaning of the title: "The scale in the form of a small opera". In his liner-notes James Johnstone writes that "Marais suggests possible divisions of the work into two, three or even four sections, 'so as not to bore the listener'". That explains the split of this piece into four tracks. There is little chance, though, that you will be bored if you listen to this piece, certainly not if it is played as brilliantly as it is by the Trio Sonnerie. The specific features of this compelling piece are explored with superior command.

The Sonate à la Marésienne is for violin and bc and comprises seven movements, again of a contrasting nature. It opens with a prelude, and continues with three dances - allemande, courante and sarabande -, a chaconne and a gravement, and closes with a gigue. This is not a straighforward dance suite, as in particular the allemande includes some contrasts. One doesn't know what to admire more: the way these contrasts are explored, the brilliant performance of the chaconne, the depth of the gravement or the impressive display of the rhythmic pulse in the gigue. The performances of Monica Huggett and her colleagues are always characterised by good taste. It is tempting to end the piece forte, but the ensemble opts for a more intimate approach.

The chaconne from this sonata is an example of a piece based on an ostinato bass. That is also the case with the Sonnerie de Sainte Geneviève du Mont de Paris. A three-note figure depicts the ringing of bells (sonnerie) and the violin weaves a web of virtuosic figures over this continuously repeated pattern. You can leave it to Monica Huggett to make the most of such a piece.

The gamba pieces by Forqueray have come down to use thanks to the publication by his son Jean-Baptiste who was a gambist himself. He published 29 pieces by his father and three from his own pen in five suites which were printed in 1747. They are available in two versions: one is the original form for gamba and bc, the other a transcription for harpsichord. The artists have decided to perform the first suite in a combination of the two versions. James Johnstone opens with the allemande La Laborde, which is followed by La Forqueray and La Cottin, both played with viola da gamba and harpsichord. The former piece is a self portrait, and it seems to suport what was said about Forqueray, that he played like a devil. Emilia Benjamin makes that clearly audible, with a strongly contrasting and dramatic performance. The second piece is much more refined and elegant. La Bellmont and La Portugaise are played as harpsichord solos; the latter is a brilliant piece which Johnstone plays with much aplomb. The suite ends with La Couperin, again with gamba and harpsichord.

The music on this disc bears witness to the high standard of music making and performing in the time of Louis XIV. Trio Sonnerie - which derived its name from Marais' piece played here - feels like a fish in water. The playing is superb, technically assured, and with an impressive command of the idiom. The refined taste which was so characteristic of French music of the time is perfectly displayed here. The growing Italian influence is also well documented through the theatrical playing in especially La Gamme.

The Trio Sonnerie is one of the oldest early music ensembles, founded in 1982. It is still going strong and has to be reckoned among the very best at the early music scene.

Johan van Veen (© 2013)

Relevant links:

Trio Sonnerie


CD Reviews

Home