Credits:

Marais, Marin (1656-1728)

Description:

Vittorio Guillermi, known as the "Heifetz of Gamba," has made his debut with the Marais of "Stillness" and "Motion" in this album. This virtuoso player, who has made masterpieces for various labels, has shown a unique aptitude for the music of France, which was also a major center of the art of the gamba. He has been working as a duo with Luca Pianca, a talented lute player who is also an early member of Il Giardino armonico, and with the help of the talented musicians of his own ensemble, Il Suonar Parlante, and here he is faced with Marin Marais, who is praised as "playing like an angel"! One of the greatest viol players of the French Baroque, Marin Marais was also an important figure in the court orchestra and conducted the Royal Opera House of France after Lully's death.The 500 Viol works published in his lifetime depict the subtleties and variety of court music, and it may come as a surprise to learn that his operatic works also include many notable numbers, such as French dances that take advantage of the possibilities of ensemble playing. Vittorio Guillermi has even included a newly discovered manuscript score that was not published during his lifetime. The orchestra, which purposely omits the clavecin (harpsichord), plays the viol with an overwhelming presence, while occasionally interspersing ensemble pieces to vividly depict the dual nature of Marre's activities. Luca Pianca's string plucking is also exquisite, either accompanying the tone of the bowed players or exchanging sounds with them on equal footing. Naxos Japan