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Love Reconciled
The Marais Project
Marin Marais: "Love Reconciled"
Classical musicians can be notoriously focused and single-minded. Even given this trait, the efforts of Marais Project Director, viola da gambist Jennifer Eriksson in bringing her favourite composer, Marin Marais (1656-1728) before the Australian musical public, is extraordinary. In 2000, completely un-funded, she set herself the task of performing all of Marais' 600 works, collected in five books titled Pièces de viole. Known as the "Paganni of the viola da gamba" (or bass viol), Marais still represents the pinnacle of viol playing. Ten years on with several ABC Classic FM studio recordings and Sunday Live Broadcasts under its collective belt, a thriving annual subscription series and dozens of concerts to its credit, Eriksson's ensemble is further cementing its position as Australia's most dynamic exponents of the French viola da gamba repertoire with the release of its second CD, Love Reconciled on the MOVE label. Produced by the award-winner Llew Kiek, Love Reconciled features some of Australia's leading early musicians: lutenist Tommie Andersson, gambists Daniel Yeadon and Catherine Upex, violinist Fiona Ziegler, up and coming harpsichordist Chris Berensen, soprano Belinda Montgomery and of course Eriksson herself. Reflecting Jennifer's meticulous approach to programming, the CD's running order is carefully constructed to present the little heard solo and duo viola da gamba repertoire creatively, the "meat" of the viol solo suites being sandwiched between a delightful trio sonata by Morel and a witty, similarly scored short ballet by Sydney composer Stephen Yates on French baroque themes. Virtually every work on the CD represents an first Australian commercial recording from the monumental Tombeau de Mr. Meliton, the lament Marais wrote for two bass viols upon the death of his friend Meliton, to the Chaconne by Jacques Morel, Marais' suite for two viola da gambas in d minor and, of course, Yates' ballet music. Soprano Belinda Montgomery rounds off the CD with performances of two of Bouteiller's rarely heard motets for two viola da gambas and continuo, in the process contributing another Australian "first". Representing a landmark in the maturity of early music performance in Australia, Love Reconciled is a recording to play often and savor deeply. Press quotes:
“For Viol players and Marais enthusiasts, Tombeau de Mr Meliton, reeks of the satisfying richness of two gambas, and the resonance and sonsistency of the theorbo...The Move Package is visually appealing and, the part that matters most, the music selection and listening quality, deserve top marks”
— Neville Olliffe, Early Music News Audio previews:
Jacques Morel (ca.1690-1740) Chaconne en trio (excerpt) download
Marin Marais (ca.1656-1728) excerpt from Suite in D minor for two viola da gambas download Track Listing:
1. Jaques Morel (ca. 1690-1740) Chaconne en trio
2. Marin Marais (1656-1728) Suite in D minor for two viola da gambas, Pièces de violes, 1er livre - Paris 1686 3. Pierre Bouteiller (ca. 1655 - ca. 1717) Tantum Ergo 4. Marin Marais Suite in G minor, Pièces de viole, 5è livre - Paris 1725 5. Marin Marais Tombeau de Mr. Meliton for two viola da gambas, Pièces de violes, 1er livre-Paris 1686 6. Stephen Yates (b.1957) Love Reconciled or The Rewards of Evil - A Ballet Vivant in One Act World Première recording Catalogue Number: MCD424
Price: AU$26.00
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Love Reconciled can be purchased through Buywell Just Classical who offer secure on-line ordering. |
 Featured Artists:
Jennifer Eriksson completed her initial musical studies at the NSW State Conservatorium of Music studying music education and cello with Barbara Woolley. She subsequently studied the viola da gamba with Jaap ter Linden at the Rotterdam Conservatorium for three years where she completed post-graduate studies in baroque music.
Belinda Montgomery graduated in 1997 from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Voice. She later studied with Emma Kirkby and Evelyn Tubb in England and has since established a freelance career in Sydney, where she is particularly active as an early music specialist. Belinda has appeared with various ensembles, most notably the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Salut! Baroque, Concertato, The Sydney Consort and of course, The Marais Project
Fiona Ziegler Fiona began her violin and piano studies at the age of five with her mother, Sydney violinist, Eva Kelly. At the Conservatorium High School she studied violin with Christopher Kimber and Harry Curby, piano with Nancy Salas and cello with Lois Simpson, attending master classes with Valery Klimov, Igor Ozim and the Quartetto Beethoven di Roma.
Daniel Yeadon has a worldwide career as a cellist and viola da gamba player; his repertoire ranges from renaissance to contemporary. In addition to the Marais Project his regular chamber music collaborators in Australia include Neal Peres Da Costa, Genevieve Lacey, Ironwood, Romanza, Kammer, Elision and The Collective.
atherine Upex studied the 'cello with Dorothy Sumner and Georg Pedersen, obtaining her AmusA in 1990. As a member of the SBS Youth Orchestra she toured Europe, Taiwan and the Pacific and participated in several recordings for SBS Television.
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