The popular art-house film
Tous les Matins du Monde (1991 - Gérard Depardieu, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Anne Brochet) introduced the modern world to obscure 17th century composer Sainte Colombe. French writer Pascal Quignard, on whose novel the film was based, first heard the viol player's work on an early LP by Jordi Savall. When a film version was in the offing it wasRead more natural Savall, the world's undisputed master of the viola da gamba, direct the music performances for the soundtrack. This lengthy album is an expanded, remastered version of the original best-selling OST, elegantly repackaged and lavishly presented with copious full colour photographs in digipak format to match Savall's other titles on his own Alia Vox label. The 16 tracks comprise in the main austere viol music by Sainte Colombe and Marin Marais, either for solo instrument or scored for two players or small ensemble - violin, theorbo (double-necked lute) and clavichord.
There is a plain, introspective melancholy to this writing which is an acquired taste, but which once acquired becomes compelling. Savall is a musician of impeccable taste and consummate artistry, and while the film may leave many audiences cold the music is powerfully moving. Music from a quieter, less rushed age, these pieces require time and attention but the rewards are great. Allow Jordi Savall to transport you to another age and much modern music will seem crass and overblown by comparison. As a centre-piece the disc offers the sopranos Montserrat Figueras (Savall's wife) and Maria Cristina Kiehr in a gorgeous 12 minute sacred work by Francois Couperin, Troisième Leç on de Ténèbres à 2 voix, performed by Savall's Le Concert des Nations.
— Gary S. Dalkin, MusicWeb International
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The soundtrack gathers together works by Sainte Colombe and several better-known contemporaries: Lully, Couperin, and Marais. The disc is as lovely now as it was 10 years ago, though it's still far too early to say that it's stood the test of time! However, it stands well on its own terms, unlike some other movie soundtracks. When the first release was issued, I listened to it over and over again, especially to the darkly luxurious works for bass viol: short as they are, Marais' delicate Les Pleurs, the same composer's haunting Sonnerie de Ste. Geneviève du Mont-de-Paris (featuring Biondi, Pierre Hantaï, and Lislevand with Savall), and Savall's improvisation on Sainte Colombe's somber Prelude in G minor are particular standouts--and they remain so.
— Anastasia Tsioulcas, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Prélude pour Monsieur Vauquelinby Jordi Savall Performer:
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: 20th Century Written: France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 1 Minutes 45 Secs.
4.
Gavotte de Tendreby Jean de Sainte-Colombe Performer:
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 1 Minutes 25 Secs.
5.
Une jeune filletteby Traditional Performer:
Montserrat Figueras (Soprano),
Maria Cristina Kiehr (Soprano),
Rolf Lislevand (Theorbo),
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Renaissance Written: France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 1 Minutes 58 Secs.
6.
Les Pleursby Jean de Sainte-Colombe Performer:
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola Da Gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: Paris, France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 4 Minutes 9 Secs.
7.
Concerto for 2 Viols no 41 "Le retour"by Jean de Sainte-Colombe Performer:
Christophe Coin (Bass Viola da gamba),
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 8 Minutes 17 Secs.
8.
Pièces de viole, Book 4: Suite no 7 "d'un goût étranger" - La reveuseby Marin Marais Performer:
Pierre Hantaï (Harpsichord),
Rolf Lislevand (Theorbo),
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: by 1717; Paris, France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 4 Minutes 55 Secs.
9.
Pièces de viole, Book 4: Suite no 7 "d'un goût étranger" - L'arabesqueby Marin Marais Performer:
Rolf Lislevand (Theorbo),
Pierre Hantaï (Harpsichord),
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: by 1717; Paris, France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 5 Minutes 57 Secs.
10.
Fantaisie for Viola da Gamba in E minorby Anonymous Performer:
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: 17th Century; France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 2 Minutes 39 Secs.
Pièces de viole, Book 2: Suite no 8 in E minor - Tombeau pour M de Sainte-Colombeby Marin Marais Performer:
Jérôme Hantaï (Bass Viola da gamba),
Pierre Hantaï (Harpsichord),
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba),
Rolf Lislevand (Theorbo)
Period: Baroque Written: by 1701; Paris, France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 7 Minutes 6 Secs.
13.
Pièces de viole, Book 3: Suite in D major - Muzette I & IIby Marin Marais Performer:
Pierre Hantaï (Harpsichord),
Rolf Lislevand (Theorbo),
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: by 1711; Paris, France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 3 Minutes 8 Secs.
Leçons de tenébres: Troisième leçonby François Couperin Performer:
Pierre Hantaï (Harpsichord),
Rolf Lislevand (Theorbo),
Maria Cristina Kiehr (Soprano),
Montserrat Figueras (Soprano),
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: by 1713; France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 12 Minutes 39 Secs.
16.
Les Pleursby Jean de Sainte-Colombe Performer:
Christophe Coin (Bass Viola da gamba),
Jordi Savall (Bass Viola da gamba)
Period: Baroque Written: Paris, France Date of Recording: 1991 Length: 2 Minutes 19 Secs.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: ( 1 Customer Review )
Marin Marais Discovered!February 11, 2015By Marsha C. (San Francisco, CA)See All My Reviews"I bought this CD because of one track that I had heard a few times on KDFC FM, my local classical radio station. It was "Sonniere de Ste. Genevieve du Mont-de-Paris" by Marin Marais. I was not familiar with Marais' music and fell in love with this piece, the key changes, the mounting excitement as the music moves forward and the happiness it exudes. After buying the CD I realized it was part of a soundtrack for a French film called "Tous les Matins du Monde" starring Gerard Depardieu. That film is next on my Netflix list. Apparently it is about a cellist. Can't wait to see it. What is remarkable is how one art form leads to a discovery in another art form."Report Abuse