Suite No. 5 in E Minor, IMM. 20

Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Marin Marais' "Suite No. 5 in E Minor, IMM. 20," a captivating collection of Baroque masterpieces released on September 12, 2018, under the Sayura Takoshima label. This album is a testament to Marais' virtuosity and the enduring appeal of his compositions, offering a rich tapestry of musical forms and expressions.

Spanning just over 30 minutes, the suite is divided into ten distinct movements, each showcasing a different dance or musical style of the Baroque era. From the solemn and introspective "Prélude lentement" to the lively and intricate "Passacaille," Marais guides the listener through a journey of emotional depth and technical brilliance. The "Fantaisie" and "Caprice lentement" highlight his improvisatory skills, while the "Gavotte," "Rondeau," and "Menuet" offer delightful examples of the dance forms that were central to Baroque music.

Marais' music, performed with exquisite sensitivity by Sayura Takoshima, reveals a world of intricate ornamentation, rhythmic vitality, and harmonic richness. The "Sarabande en rondeau" and "Sarabande" movements, in particular, demonstrate Marais' ability to blend the formal structures of the dance suite with deeply expressive melodies.

This album is not just a collection of tracks but a cohesive musical narrative that invites listeners to explore the nuances of Baroque performance practice. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast of early music or a newcomer to the genre, "Suite No. 5 in E Minor, IMM. 20" offers a rewarding and enriching listening experience. Dive into the world of Marin Marais and discover the timeless beauty of his music.

Marin Marais, born in Paris in 1656, was a virtuoso viol player and a prolific composer whose works have left an indelible mark on the Baroque music landscape. His journey began under the tutelage of the renowned Jean-Baptiste Lully and the enigmatic Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe, from whom he absorbed the nuances of the viol. Marais' career flourished at the royal court of Versailles, where he was appointed as a court musician in 1676 and later as ordinaire de la chambre du roy pour la viole in 1679, a position he held until 1725.

Marais' compositions are a testament to his mastery of the viol, with five books of Pièces de viole that showcase his technical prowess and emotional depth. Beyond his viol works, he also composed four operas and various instrumental and vocal pieces, demonstrating his versatility as a composer. His music is notable for its balance between the harmonic idioms of the past and the innovations of his time, making it as relevant today as it was in the 17th and 18th centuries. Marais' legacy extends beyond the concert hall, with his life and music gaining wider recognition through cinematic portrayals, further cementing his status as a central figure in the French school of viol playing.

Suite No. 5 in E Minor, IMM. 20

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