Antoine Forqueray
Antoine Forqueray wrote fiercely demanding music for the viola da gamba, dramatic and brash beside the sweeter style of Marin Marais. Only thirty-two pieces survive, many known today as harpsichord character pieces.
Contemporaries heard him play like the devil where Marais played like an angel, and judged the writing so hard that only he and his son Jean-Baptiste could bring it off with grace. Jean-Baptiste issued the surviving gamba pieces in 1747 with a harpsichord version; Rameau, Couperin and Duphly each answered with a tribute called La Forqueray. The music thrives on bold gesture and technical stretch, grand salon portraiture such as La Portugaise and La Bellmont rather than gentle song.
Compositions by Antoine Forqueray appear on
Musical Portraits from the Salons of Paris
Harpsichordist Elizabeth Anderson recreates a salon concert from pre-revolutionary Paris. Grand, lively ‘character pieces’ by Forqueray, Duphly and Balbastre — musical portraits of celebrated figures — are brought to life with deft, accomplished playing.
Arranger
Exquisite Harmonies
Exquisite Harmonies features works for viola da gamba and harpsichord, and several harpsichord solos, largely from the French Baroque. The exceptions are Telemann, Abel and Australian composer Troy Russell. A nice treat is an improvised harpsichord fantasia in the style of Telemann.