CDA66310 - Disc 1 Track 14 - Suite in E minor

Suite in E minor

composer

Marin Marais (1656-1728)

Pièces en trio pour les flûtes, violons et dessus de viole, 1692

Recordings

Marais: La Folia & other works

The Purcell Quartet, William Hunt (viola da gamba)

Buy by post £6.99 CDH55235 Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

Details

Movement 1: Prelude

The Purcell Quartet, William Hunt (viola da gamba)

Track 14 on CDH55235 [2'50] Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

Movement 2: Rondeau

The Purcell Quartet, William Hunt (viola da gamba)

Track 15 on CDH55235 [1'54] Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

Movement 3: Sarabande en rondeau

The Purcell Quartet, William Hunt (viola da gamba)

Track 16 on CDH55235 [1'52] Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

Movement 4: Menuet

The Purcell Quartet, William Hunt (viola da gamba)

Track 17 on CDH55235 [0'41] Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

Movement 5: Caprice

The Purcell Quartet, William Hunt (viola da gamba)

Track 18 on CDH55235 [2'42] Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

Movement 6: Pasacaille

The Purcell Quartet, William Hunt (viola da gamba)

Track 19 on CDH55235 [3'32] Helios (Hyperion's budget label)

Suite in E minor

EnglishFrançaisDeutsch

The harmony throughout the Suite in E minor is intense and sensuous, in marked contrast to the simplicity of the dance structures into which this molten passion is poured. The tension thus created can be electrifying. The structure of these movements is essentially repetitious and is notated in shorthand repeat signs. There is never any suggestion that these are at all optional, and we have observed them all, preferring to include fewer movements complete than more curtailed. This music embodies the values of the society which produced it, where time spent cultivating le bon goût in all forms of culture was not regarded as time wasted. On the contrary, in stark contrast to our own age (where to be busy is to be important, to be wanted), to have time to contemplate and cultivate the beautiful was the goal.