Marin Marais - La Gamme (The Scale)

Marin Marais

La Gamme, en forme de petit opéra

I. Ut - Ré - Mi - Fa - Sol - La - Si - Ut - Si - La - Sol
II. Fa - Mi - Ré - Ut


London Baroque (on Period-Instruments
Charles Medlam, viola da gamba, direction
Ingrid Seifert, baroque violin
William Hunt, viola da gamba
John Toll, harpsichord


Musique d'abord (Harmonia Mundi)

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*Painting by Jean-Antoine Watteau "La Gamme d'amour" c. 1717

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"Mr Marin Marais surprised musical connoisseurs with his pieces 'La Gamme' which is a pièce de symphonie that imperceptibly ascends the steps of the octave; one then descends, thereby going through harmonious songs and melodious tones, the various sounds of music."
(Titon du Tillet, in Le Parnasse Français)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• marin marais
• marais
• la gamme
• gamme
• scale
• baroque music
• baroque violin
• french baroque
• french music
• french early music
• french baroque music

[redbrian3655]

Marais (a reknown bass viol player) had a sophisticated rhythmic sense in which individual gestures carry direct meaning and effect. The piece contains many of the elements of Italian opera of that time, including some which many be droll, tongue-in-cheek take-offs on the less admirable clichés such as high notes sustained for applause and melodramatic diminished seventh chords. "La Gamme" is a joy of invention, of lovely melody and harmonies, and sprightly rhythms. (PROGRAMME NOTES)

[PeriodinstrumentfaN]

@redbrian3655

If it weren't for CD liner notes, i wouldn't be informed. If it weren't for it, i wouldn't have the interest to learn about the other "obscure jewels." I very much love reading the essays and researches of the baroqueux themselves. ♥

[redbrian3655]

As an early teen, I learned EVERYTHING from the back of LP covers. The research that went into those essays made me want to listen, made me want to play and helped me to understand the composer, the times and music. LONG LIVE LINER NOTES !!!