Presents
Jean Philippe Rameau
Premier Concert for String Sextet
The name Jean Philippe Rameau (1683-1764) is one of the most important composers of the Baroque era, although his music is rarely performed live anymore. He was known for his operas, his compositions for harpsichord and his book on harmony. Some of his works can sometimes be heard on CD.
The Premier Concert for String Sextet is the first of a set of six, based on his Pieces de Clavecin, which were composed between 1724-1726. They were transcribed for three violins, viola and two cellos shortly after Rameau's death in 1768 by the French lawyer and composer Jacques Joseph Marie Decroix. A subsequent edition was made by Saint Saens in 1896. And it is in this version that they have survived.
It is in three movements: La Coulicam (thought to be the French transliteration of Kubla Khan ), La Livri (a kind of tamborine, used in Turkish music of the time ) and Le Vézinet, which refers to a suburb of Paris.
Our edition is based on that of Saint Saens. Because sextets for three violins, viola and two cellos are rare, we have created a 2nd viola part in lieu of Violin III.