A noteworthy fact: Marais, in his five books of Pièces de viole, published only two suites for two viols and continuo. Aside from the two suites for three viols (Book IV), all the other pieces are intended for the solo instrument with accompaniment of harpsichord, theorbo or a second viol in different combinations.

The record Pato (Dam) depicts the power of singing together: the happiness of belonging and being united, the comfort of liberation from difficult feelings, the delight of sharing joy, and empowerment even amid difficult challenges. Singing together makes you stop in the very moment to experience beauty. The songs on the record flow through moments of refuge, otherness and loneliness into being united with oneself, the other and nature. The process of making this record also underlines the power of singing: a major part of the practice work took place in the times of isolation on spring 2020, due to restrictions on singing together caused by the pandemic.

The second volume in this series continues to explore little-known examples of Auber’s elegant and refined operatic music. Julie was his first stage work, its fantasia-like beauty foreshadowing the operas, opéras-comiques and lyric dramas to come. Striking melodies and haunting episodes abound in these overtures and entr’actes, and there is restrained yet fragrant Iberian colour in the overture to Léocadie. The Violin Concerto is lightly scored and gentle, with a tarantella-like finale full of folk vitality.