La Gamme

In 1723, Marais published his final masterpiece: La Gamme (The Scale). At 67, he was covered in glory and had nothing left to prove, but took utter delight in giving himself over to the composition of these extraordinary pieces for violin, viola and harpsichord, a diabolical trio in his hands. In the form of a small opera, this collection places drama and action at the center of the music. Hearts capsize, feelings are expressed with excess, virtuosity reigns right up to the emblematic Sonnerie de Sainte Genevieve du Mont (The Bells of St. Genevieve), a true marvel which repeats the tones of three bells so as to become hypnotic... Yoko Kawakubo, Myriam Rignol and Julien Wolfs reign magnificently over this music, which casts the last glimmers of the Grand Siècle into the whirlwind reign of Louis XV.