Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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

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!!!!!!

French Baroque is not a very well known style in performance circles either by the performers themselves or audiences. In particular, viola performances are probably the least known or heard. The viola da gamba is the cello's predecessor and prominent in both English and French Early-Mid Baroque. The instrument has greater range and resonance with 7 strings. There are probably fewer than 300 professional players performing on this instrument today. There are probably 4-5 who are the best and the musicians here are not even close to the talent of the undisputed and unmatched French master violist, Jordi Savall: there is absolutely no comparison.

The 'Sonnerie' here is lifeless and completely at odds with the meter. The violas are groaning in slow agony as opposed to whirling feverishly and spiraling towards a heaven-like ecstacy. The rest of the pieces are equally pathetic in their execution. Listen to a sample of Savall's performance of this piece on the soundtrack to 'All The Mornings of The World' and the music will simply explain itself for you to make your descisions in buying French Baroque. He also has the best performance of Lully's 'Les Concerts Royaux' that I have ever heard: this man is nothing less than a prodigy in his art of the viola and his direction of French Baroque. I have the utmost respect for this man as an artist: he is truly a living legend.

For French Baroque in general and especially for Marin Marais or other viola composers, there is no other performer/conductor than Jordi Savall worth listening to. Especially for viola, his closest contenders are still motionless on the ground while he is flying circles in the stratosphere: there is simply no comparison and his virtuosity is exponentially superior to every one else's. Find out for yourselves and you will soon be agreeing with what I say. Good luck in your search for great music!