Marin Marais: Les Voix Humaines for solo double bass (arr. Calogero Messina)

About the Composition

Les Voix Humaines (The human voices) is taken from the second book of pieces for viola da gamba and basso continuo by Marin Marais, published in 1701. One of the most beautiful pieces in the French Baroque repertoire, this transcription for solo double bass combines the viola da gamba and basso continuo parts.

The piece is certainly difficult, but studying it is also an excellent exercise for discovering the fingerboard in the upper positions and for practicing double stops and chords. The original score is included in this edition to aid in adding ornamentations. 

This edition includes a score with and without fingerings and bowings.

About the Composer

Marin Marais (1656 - 1728) was a French composer and viol player. He studied composition with Jean-Baptiste Lully, often conducting his operas, and with master of the bass viol Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe for six months. In 1676 he was hired as a musician to the royal court of Versailles and was successful there, being appointed in 1679 as ordinaire de la chambre du roy pour la viole, a title he kept until 1725.