Composer

:

Marin Marais

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Publication Date

:

1701

Average_duration

:

2:31

Marin Marais was a French composer and viol player who lived from 1656 to 1728. He was a prominent figure in the French Baroque music scene and is best known for his compositions for the viol. One of his most famous works is the Passacaille in E minor, which is part of his Pièces de viole, Book II. The Passacaille in E minor was composed in the late 17th century and was first performed in Paris in 1701. It is a piece for solo viol and is characterized by its use of a passacaglia, a musical form that features a repeating bass line. The passacaglia in the Passacaille in E minor is a descending chromatic line that is repeated throughout the piece. The Passacaille in E minor is divided into three movements. The first movement is slow and stately, with the viol playing the passacaglia over a simple accompaniment. The second movement is faster and more lively, with the viol playing a series of virtuosic runs and trills. The third movement returns to the slow and stately pace of the first movement, with the viol playing the passacaglia over a more complex accompaniment. One of the characteristics of the Passacaille in E minor is its use of ornamentation. Marais was known for his skill in ornamentation, and the Passacaille in E minor features a variety of trills, mordents, and other embellishments. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of dissonance. The passacaglia features a descending chromatic line that creates a sense of tension and unease, which is resolved in the final movement. Overall, the Passacaille in E minor is a masterpiece of French Baroque music. Its use of the passacaglia form, ornamentation, and dissonance make it a challenging and rewarding piece for both performers and listeners.

More....