A visit to the early 18th century: the evocative sounds of harpsichord and viola de gamba in the serene atmosphere of Framlingham Church.

Marais is known as one of the most important figures of the French Baroque era. From relatively humble origins (he was the son of a shoemaker) he was fortunate to receive a thorough musical education, and excelled as a viol soloist. (According to those who heard him perform, he played “like an angel”.)  He later became a court musician at Louis XIV’s Versailles, where he began a second career as a composer. His life was memorably depicted in the sumptuous film Tous les matins du monde in 1991.
 
His Fifth book of Pièces de Viole was written in 1725, ten years after the death of Louis XIV. By this time Marais had retired to a district in the south of Paris, happy to cultivate his garden, but at the same time composing an exquisite, final book of viol works. They are an elegant finale for the composer (who died three years later): a beguiling combination of Baroque precision and, in some cases, an almost improvisatory air. The more meditative numbers seem to slow down time itself. 

François Joubert-Caillet, one of today’s leading viola de gamba players, is on a mission to make the music of Marais better known. He has recorded all five of Marais’ Pièces de Viole, and performs from Book V in this recital, with the renowned harpsichordist Philippe Grisvard. 

François Joubert-Caillet viola de gamba
Philippe Grisvard harpsichord