This children’s music book contains 5 places in the Palace of Versailles, each place is assigned to a music piece around 17th century. There are little white buttons to press to make the music play.
Little words in French combine with the illustrations, they reflect what music for which occasion. The musical life in Versailles comes alive. Hence, this book brought these French composers even more vividly to me.
Marin Marais 1656-1728
Jean-Baptiste Lully 1632-1687
Marc-Antoine Charpentier 1643-1704
François Couperin 1668-1733
Michel-Richard de Lalande 1657-1726
Jean-Philippe Rameau 1683-1764
The most precious discovery for me personally from this book was the encounter with the composer Marin Marais 1656-1728. He was considered a successful musician at the royal court of Versailles. He played Viola da Gamba, therefore, he composed a lot of music for this charming instrument.
Viola da Gamba is a string instrument played in sitting, it has 6-7 strings and frets like guitar. I come to know Viola da Gamba because it is my favourite stop for organ playing. We can hear the real Viola da Gamba in the wonderful aria Komm, süsses Kreuz from Bach’s St Matthew Passion BWV 244.
Tonight’s music is a composition for Viola da Gamba by Marin Marais. So calm and so beautiful.
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