“Gracieusement” from Sonata Sixiéme by Jean-Féry Rebel

“Gracieusement” from Sonata Sixiéme
By Jean-Féry Rebel (1666-1747)
Samuel Breene, Baroque Violin
Sarah Biber, Viola da Gamba
Jeffrey Noonan, Theorbo & Baroque Lute
Audio courtesy Barry Hufker
Videography by Pat Weaver
Early Music Missouri kicked off its 2023-2024 season with a concert featuring string music from the French court. The concert brought together the duo Musicke’s Cordes (Samuel Breene, Baroque violin and EMMo Director Jeffrey Noonan on theorbo) with Sarah Biber, a viola da gambist based in Colorado.
Jean-Féry Rebel (1666 - 1747) Jean-Féry himself served in the Royal Chapel. As a boy, Jean-Féry came to Lully’s attention and the powerful Italian took him as a student. By 1700, Rebel was a regular part of the Opéra orchestra, eventually becoming batteur de mesure (conductor) of both the Opéra orchestra and the famous 24 Violons du Roi. While he composed just one (unsuccessful) opera, his three collections of chamber music and especially his collections of dance and programmatic works achieved notable success. Like other violinists of his generation, Rebel could not help but be influenced by Corelli’s famous Op. 5 solo violin sonatas, but his collection keeps its roots in French tastes. “Sonata Sixiéme” looks south with a slow-fast-slow-fast structure and slow movements full of dense harmonies and emotional melodic suspensions. And the quick movements- one an imitative chase and the other an energetic gigue-display at least as much Italian energy as French grace. Yet Rebel never abandons his French foundations. Both slow movements feature an independent line for viola da gamba, offering a very French, graceful dialogue between the solo instruments. Rebel also resists the excesses of Italian virtuosity; the restrained violin part, while challenging, eschews Corellian pyrotechnics like double stops. This particular sonata stands as an exemplar of goûts réunis, its French grace quietly balancing its Italian enthusiasms.

[@kimluvsanimals12388]

Very tough violin parts. Enjoyed the performance and the performers. The French seemed to have a big influence on the world stage. It’s ironic how beautiful the harmonies were, despite their background. Merci!