This release aims to give the listener a good idea of the range of music composed by a remarkable musical dynasty, the Forqueray family. They were a family of organists, viol players and harpsichordists. They were very bit as remarkable as the other great musical dynasties, the Bendas, Stamitzs, Bachs, and the Strauss family. The most famous member of the Forqueray family (their Johann Sebastian) was Antoine, who was born in 1672, a virtuoso gambist. His output forms the backbone of the French repertoire for this instrument. None of his music was published during his lifetime, and his son Jean-Baptiste (born 1699), another viol player, devoted his time to publishing his father's works. Michel, born in 1681, and Nicolas-Gilles, born in 1703, were superb keyboard players. This set offers a rare chance to hear the music of all four composers, centred around characterful suites for harpsichord and viole da gamba but including songs.

Tracklist:

Suite in D minor: La la Borde. Allemande
Suite in D minor: La Forqueray
Suite in D minor: La Cottin
Suite in D minor: La Bellmont
Suite in D minor: La Portugaise
Suite in D minor: La Couperin
Suite in D minor: Musette
Suite in D minor: Musette "N'espÃ¨re Plus, Jeune Lisette" 1
Suite in G: La Bouron 1
Suite in G: La Mandoline 1
Suite in G: La Du BreÃ¼il 1
Suite in G: La Leclair 1
Suite in G: La Buisson. Chaconne 1
Allemande 1
La Angrave 1
La Du Vaucel 1
La Morangis Ou la Plissay - Chaconne 1
La Marella 2
La D'aubonne - Sarabande 2
Le Papillon Et la Rose 2
Suite in C minor: La Rameau 2
Suite in C minor: La Guignon 2
Suite in C minor: La Boisson 2
Suite in C minor: La Montigni 2
Suite in C minor: La Silva 2
Suite in C minor: Jupiter

UPC: 842977038026
Label: Brilliant Classics
Release Date: 9.1.09
Format: CD

J.A. FORQUERAY - Chamber Music for Harpsichord & Viola Da Gamba (CD)