Marin Marais: Sonnerie de Sainte-Geneviève du Mont (Suites pour violes) [Import]

Marin Marais (Artist), Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Artist), Leopold Stastny (Artist), Herbert Tachezi (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 2004)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B00026KGDS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #197,989 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Approaches to Heaven, August 10, 2008

By 

Muriel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marin Marais: Sonnerie de Sainte-Geneviève du Mont (Suites pour violes) (Audio CD)

For Octavius, the violas in this version of the "Sonnerie" groan, "in slow agony," whereas they should be "whirling feverishly and spiraling towards a heaven-like ecstacy [sic]." To my way of thinking, Savall's feverishly fast virtuoso version is dead wrong, destroying the aching sense of earth-bound melancholy that is so hypnotic (and which I think Marais intended). Nor is a heaven-like ecstasy always conveyed by speed (think of Bach's slow choruses). Of the several "Sonneries" in my collection, this is the only one I can hear any number of times without diminishing the effect. The recorded sound is superb, with an "in the room" presence. Altogether a truly fine disc to treasure.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The previous reviewer has some points, ...but..., December 8, 2006

By 

Phillip Serna "Phillip Serna" (Plainfield, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marin Marais: Sonnerie de Sainte-Geneviève du Mont (Suites pour violes) (Audio CD)

I appreciated the input of the previous reviewr, but ther eare a couple of items, not having to do with this particular recording that I have to add an addendum. the 7-string bass viol (or viola da gamba) is NOT an ancestor of the cello, or any instruments in the violin family. Historical evidence, as well as extensive research show the viola da gamba family was connected to the development of the lute and early guitars in Europe 70 years before the fist violin family instruments begin to appear. Please note, I am NOT referring to vielles or any other precursors of bowed string instruments in Europe. A simple web search will yield many other viola da gamba soloists, many of whom are exeptional performers.

Phillip W. Serna
phillipwserna.com

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good actually., April 19, 2008

By 

Steve Sturgill "sktrends" (Dallas,TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Marin Marais: Sonnerie de Sainte-Geneviève du Mont (Suites pour violes) (Audio CD)

To me I think Octavius is overly hypocritical. While I agree that this is not the liveliest rendition available it is still worth while listening to at least for students or players to grasp various "takes" on the pieces. I agree that Savall (Jordi) is the best in the world however there are several other master Gambists who ARE worth listening to. Savall by the way is Spanish Catalan, not French although he speaks 5 or 6 languages very, very fluently. A list of other great viola da gamba players includes but is not limited to Hille Perl of Germany, Wieland Kuijken of Brussels, Belgium and of Flemish descent is a collaborator and close friend of Savall, Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks who is a direct living descendaL'Ange Marais: Pièces á trois violesnt of the French Viol Master Jean Rousseau, he absolutely rocks if I can use such a cliche term but also has exquisite and deft touch- amazing, Paolo Pandolfo of Italy, and Sussie Napper and Margaret Little, from Montreal and London respectively are also highly recommended. As I stated before there are many more worth mentioning but these are those who come readiest to mind! Enjoy. Vive les VIOLES!!!!!!