Fenton House, Hampstead Grove, Hampstead, London, NW3 6SP

This programme paints a musical picture of the chamber music presented to Louis XIV by his favourite composers. Composers who were allowed into the inner circle of the king were given the title ‘musicien pour la chambre du Roy’: their tasks included providing music for the king in his private rooms. Some of the best chamber music of the period was written for these occasions.

The music

Louis-Nicolas Clérembault (1676–1749): Chaconne in D major, for violin, viola da gamba and basso continuo

Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665–1729): Suonata 1a in A minor for violin, viola da gamba and basso continuo

Marin Marais (1656–1728): Tableau de l’opération de la taille for viola da gamba and basso continuo

Marin Marais: Sonnerie de Ste Geneviève du Mont de Paris for violin, viola da gamba and basso continuo

Jacques Duphly (1715–89): ‘La Forqueray’ from Pièces de clavecin (III) for harpsichord solo

Antoine Forqueray (1672–1745): ‘La Rameau’ for viola da gamba and basso continuo

Jean Philippe Rameau (1683-1764): Pièces de clavecin en concert no. 5 for harpsichord, violin and viola da gamba

The musicians

(Nicolette Moonen violin, Reiko Ichise viola da gamba, Pawel Siwczak harpsichord)