Marin Marais - Sonnerie de Ste. Geneviève du Mont-de-Paris
You might call it a meditation: fits of embellishment in the violin and spring-loaded gamba compound with abandon, subdued in turn by a mindful ostinato in the harpsichordist's left hand. This struggle, recited with my dear Jordi's penetrating insight into Baroque pathos, is the source of this wonderful work's effervescent drama.
"The Bells of St. Genevieve," by the French composer Marin Marais, is a neat little piece from the Late Baroque (1723). As a violist himself, Marais penned the viol part to be particularly impressive, stealing the show from the traditionally dominant violin. Pay attention to the performers' use of glissando! Otherworldly.
Jordi Savall - viola da gamba
Fabio Biondi - violin
Pierre Hantaï - harpsichord & positive organ