François Joubert-Caillet, Marin Marais - Marais: Pièces favorites (2015)

Tracklist:

01. Livre V, Suite No. 1 en La Mineur: Prelude en harpegement (2:45)
02. Livre IV, Suite d'un gout etranger: L'Arabesque (2:47)
03. Livre IV. Suite d'un gout etranger: La reveuse (5:52)
04. Livre IV, Suite d'un gout etranger: L'Arabesque (3:51)
05. Livre III, Suite No. 1 en La Mineur: Grand ballet (4:24)
06. Livre I, Suite a deux violes en Sol Majeur: Courante (1:59)
07. Livre III, Suite No. 7 en Sol Majeur: La guitare (5:28)
08. Livre I, Suite a deux violes en Re Mineur: Sarabande (4:20)
09. Livre II. Suite No. 2 en Re Mineur: La polonaise (3:01)
10. Livre II. Suite No. 4 en Sol Majeur: Gigue la badine (2:04)
13. Livre II. Suite No. 3 en Re Majeur: Les voix humaines (4:50)
14. Livre II. Suite No. 1 en Re Mineur: Couplets de folies (7:31)
15. Livre IV. Suite No. 4 en La Mineur: Allemande (4:11)
16. Livre V. Suite No. 6 en Sol Majeur: Chaconne (2:57)
17. Livre IV. Suite d'un gout etranger: Le tourbillon (1:40)

Gambist François Joubert-Caillet and his ensemble L'Achéron, known for their highly-praised albums, are embarking on a major project: recording the complete Pièces de viole by Marin Marais, comprising about six hundred works published in five books between 1686 and 1725. As a preliminary release to this grand project, supported by the Ricercar label, Joubert-Caillet presented a recital featuring famous selected pieces by Marais from all five books. This release showcases the composer's characteristic diversity, including dance forms (gigue, chaconne) and figurations such as "human voices," as well as the famous Tombeau pour Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe. A critical review, noting the clarity and smooth high register of Joubert-Caillet's viola playing, particularly in La guitare and La feste champêtre, emphasizes that this beautifully composed collection—revealing previously unknown facets of Marais—is a very accomplished work that promises much for the upcoming complete recording.