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

Live performance from May 2024 for Gotham Early Music Scene Midtown Concerts Original broadcast available here: 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