SACDs - Marais, M

Booklet: English, Spanish, French German, Italian, Catalan

Between 1975 and 1983, Jordi Savall recorded five albums including the most beautiful pieces from each of the five ‘Books of Pieces for the Viol’ composed by Marin Marais between 1686 and 1725. A silence of nearly 250 years came to an end. A repertoire - and even better, an instrument - returned from oblivion.

The memory of a composer had never been so closely linked to the performing art of amusician. 35 years after the beginning of this history-making enterprise, the five Astree albums are offered in a remastered sound, that fully rewards the genius of Marin Marais and Jordi Savall. Luxuriously documented – as always with Alia Vox - this anthology is a must-have for any Baroque music lover.

The HERITAGE collection, launched by Alia Vox in 2007 with Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Vergine (AVSA9855), aims to offer a fresh vision of the recordings that Jordi Savall, Montserrat Figueras and their ensembles Hespèrion XX, La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Le Concert des Nations made under the Astrée label between 1977 and 1996. This unique discographic legacy of almost 70 albums, which include the most emblematic recordings of the Early Music renaissance, will be systematically remastered and edited with the meticulous care that has been Alia Vox’s hallmark since the label was founded in 1998. Both past and present productions featuring Alia Vox artists’ performances will thus be available under a single banner, allowing listeners to measure the breadth and continuity of their work over more than 30 years.

To celebrate Marin Marais' 350th birthday, Jordi Savall has made his first complete recording of Marais' most intricate work: the Suitte d'un Goût Etranger. As indicated in the detailed liner notes, these 33 pieces offer the quintessence of the art of Marais, with fascinating titles like La Rêveuse (The Dreamer), La Singulière (The Special), La Bizarre (The Weird), La Superbe (The Proud), including the final Badinage, full of nostalgia. No other work in the baroque repertoire surpasses this fabulous 'Suitte'.

This is a true family album from the Savall-Figueras team, featuring a highly successful concert programme with which they have already toured. Their musical programme takes us on a journey through time and space: from the 10th century to the present day; from Spain to Greece via the Orient, building bridges across genres, eras, generations and traditions.