New York City-based viola da gambist Caroline Nicolas is one to watch – a captivating performer and “one of the finest gambists working today” (Gotham Early Music Scene). With her star rapidly in the ascendent, Caroline has performed with ensembles including The English Concert, Kammerorchester Basel and Philharmonia Baroque, and collaborated with the likes of Jordi Savall, William Christie and Kristian Bezuidenhout. For her solo debut recording, Caroline brings out the big guns of the viola da gamba repertoire from France’s defining era of the instrument – the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Pieces de viole were integral to the French instrumental baroque, and Caroline’s programme leads with selections by the master of the genre, Marin Marais. For contrast, Caroline juxtaposes the first Suite by the iconoclastic Antoine Forqueray, and in between offers a pair of amuse bouche, an intricate Chaconne by Marais’ tutor, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe, and a Prelude by the pedagogue Le Sieur de Machy. In keeping with French viol music’s nuance and relative restraint, Caroline is accompanied solely by theorbo, it’s complementary timbre reflecting the repertoire’s aesthetic.

Tracklist:

1. Suite No. 7 in G (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~Prlude (92)
2. Suite No. 7 in G (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~Allemande ; Double (94 ; 95)
3. Suite No. 7 in G (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~Sarabande grave (99)
4. Suite No. 7 in G (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~La Musette (105)
5. Suite d’un got tranger (Pices de viole, Livre 4): Le Badinage (87)
6. Suite No. 1 in D minor (Pices de viole)~Prlude
7. Suite No. 4 in D (Pices de viole, Livre 3): Plainte (55)
8. Suite No. 1 in A minor (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~Prlude (11)
9. Suite No. 1 in A minor (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~Fantaisie (1)
10. Suite No. 1 in A minor (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~Allemande (2)
11. Suite No. 1 in A minor (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~Courante (3)
12. Suite No. 1 in A minor (Pices de viole, Livre 3)~Minuet et Autre (8 ; 9)
13. Chaconne (Tournus 49)
14. Suite No. 1 in D minor (Pices de viole avec la basse-continue)~Allemande (La La Borde)
15. Suite No. 1 in D minor (Pices de viole avec la basse-continue)~La Forqueray
16. Suite No. 1 in D minor (Pices de viole avec la basse-continue)~La Cottin
17. Suite No. 1 in D minor (Pices de viole avec la basse-continue)~La Bellemont
18. Suite No. 1 in D minor (Pices de viole avec la basse-continue)~La Portugaise
19. Suite No. 1 in D minor (Pices de viole avec la basse-continue)~La Couperin
20. Suite No. 3 in D (Pices de viole, Livre 2): Les Voix humaines (63)

UPC: 822252286120
Label: Avie
Release Date: 6.19.26
Format: CD