Couperin, Francois (1668-1733) - Pieces de Viole 1728 : Atsushi Sakai, Martineau, Saint-Yves(Gamb)Rousset(Cemb)+Forqueray - Import CD

Credits:

Eduardo del Pueyo

Description:

The eloquent and bewitching sound of viola da gamba by Jun Sakai F. Coupland, Folklé's noted gamba player, cellist, and conductor, was awarded the 15th Hideo Saito Memorial Fund Award in the cello category in January 2017, making his abilities known once again to the world. The catalog of F. Couperin's works from 1730 includes "Works for Viol with Basso continuo" and "Works for Viol with Basso continuo". In the early 20th century, a musicologist found a collection of viols with only the name 'M.F.C.' in the catalog, and from the way the ornaments were written, styled, and titled, it was assumed that this was the collection that was also in the catalog, and that it had been published in 1728. The ornamentation, style, and title of the music identified it as a collection that had also appeared in the catalogue, and as a work from 1728. Some believe that Couperin was not familiar with the instrument, given that he only initialed "F.C." in the book of tunes and that it is uniquely difficult to play.However, the fact that his father was a viol player and owned the instrument himself, and the fact that this 1728 collection (some have suggested that it was dedicated to Marais, since Marais died the same year and it includes a piece entitled "Funeral," but if so, it would have been "Tombow" However, the excellence of the "Tombow" (which is not dedicated to Marais, since it contains a piece entitled "Funerary") suggests that this is not the case. The Folklé piece in between is a work from a scattered autograph manuscript (it is unclear whether Antoine or Jean-Baptiste wrote it), and it is an early 18th-century work with strong elements of Italian taste. Sakai plays the main melody (or premier) throughout the disc. First and foremost, Sakai's viola da gamba is eloquent, beautiful, and has a wonderful, softly textured tone. The inspired, improvised ornamentation is at times bewitching. The recording was made near where F. Couperin lived, so the recording was made while you could feel the ancient composer's breath.The large scale music, the dense tone, and the bass lines of Rousset and his co-stars, who are perfectly in tune with Sakai's music, all make this an immensely engaging piece. (1/2) King International

Tracklisting:

1.Premiere Suite en mi mineur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Prelude
2.Premiere Suite en mi mineur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Allemande
3.Premiere Suite en mi mineur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Courante
4.Premiere Suite en mi mineur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Sarabande
5.Premiere Suite en mi mineur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Gavotte
6.Premiere Suite en mi mineur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Gigue
7.Premiere Suite en mi mineur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Chaconne ou Passacaille
8.Dixieme concert, Les Gouts reunis ou Nouveaux Concerts: Plainte pour les voiles
9.Pieces a trois violes en re mineur (MS 135, Archives departementales du Nord): Allemande
10.Pieces a trois violes en re mineur (MS 135, Archives departementales du Nord): Courante
11.Pieces a trois violes en re mineur (MS 135, Archives departementales du Nord): Sarabande
12.La Girouette (Vm7 6296)
13.Deuxieme Suite en la majeur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Prelude
14.Deuxieme Suite en la majeur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Fuguette
15.Deuxieme Suite en la majeur (Pieces de violes, 1728): Pompe funebre
16.Deuxieme Suite en la majeur (Pieces de violes, 1728): La Chemise blanche