Caroline Nicolas - Gamba Rivalry (de Machy, Forqueray, Marais)

Live performance from May 2024 for Gotham Early Music Scene Midtown Concerts
Original broadcast available here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/KpqrNzUzcXI



Caroline Nicolas ~ viola da gamba
Kevin Payne ~ lute
Elliot Figg ~ harpsichord

The splendor of the French Baroque viola da gamba is celebrated in this virtuosic program. At the height of Marin Marais' career, a young viol virtuoso named Antoine Forqueray exploded onto the French court musical scene. Sixteen years his junior, Forqueray's bold and contrasting musical style brought much lively speculation amongst their peers. Included are works of the great rivals Forqueray (who played like the “devil”), Marais (who played like an “angel”), and Le Sieur de Machy.

Program

Pièces de Violles (Le Sieur de Machy (fl. 1655–1700))
Prélude
Suite in D Major from Pièces de viole, Livre 3 (Marin Marais (1656–1728))
Plainte ~ La Trompette Menuet et Double ~ Rondeau
Suite No. 1 for Viola da Gamba and Continuo (Antoine Forqueray (1672–1745))
Allemande (La Borde) ~ La Forqueray ~ La Cottin ~
La Bellemont ~ La Portugaise ~ La Couperin
Les Voix Humaines (Marin Marais)
Suite in G Major from Pièces de viole, Livre 3
La Musette
Suite No. 1 in A minor from Pièces de viole, Livre 3 (Marin Marais)
Prélude ~ Allemande ~ Courante ~ Minuet et Autre ~ Grand Ballet