Louis de Caix d'Hervelois
Louis de Caix d'Hervelois wrote almost exclusively for the viola da gamba: tuneful French dance suites whose graceful melodies, ornamentation and rhythmic lift make them among the most idiomatic music for the instrument.
A pupil of Marin Marais, he cast his chamber works as character pieces in dance suites. The Suite in D minor from the 1708 Premier Livre shows the style at full stretch: elegant French melody with delicate light and shade, lines moving in thirds and da capo repeats, the viol turning over continuo with infectious rhythm even in the sprightlier movements. Much of his other music survives as transcriptions from the viol originals.
Louis de Caix d'Hervelois is featured on the following titles
Spinning Forth
The title points to music still to come. The programme gathers French baroque viola da gamba repertoire with Swedish roots and newly commissioned Australian works, spinning forth in fresh directions.
Compositions by Louis de Caix d'Hervelois also appear on
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.