Just as the mythological river god Acheron formed the connection between two worlds, François Joubert-Caillet builds bridges between the past and present. In a programme perfect for our spring festival, he leads his ensemble to the days when the French viol flourished. Five successive generations of French viol players – from Hotman and Dubuisson to the Forqueray family – created a masterly oeuvre between the reign of Louis XIII and the French Revolution, in which introspection and virtuosity go hand in hand. Their compositions reflect the changing spirit of the times and form the musical equivalent of the philosophical works of Pascal, La Bruyère and Diderot. In this thrilling anthology, the sound colours of the ‘human voice among the instruments’ are revealed in all their glory: from the contemplative meanderings of Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe to the virtuoso cascades of Marais.
Program
Music by M. Marais, R. Marais, Mr de Sainte-Colombe, A. Forqueray, J.B. Forqueray, Mr de Machy and others
Performers
François Joubert-Caillet, viol | Pieter Theuns, lute