Marin Marais (1656-1728) was a French viol player, as well as a prolific composer who studied with Jean-Baptiste Lully. This work is a suite compiled from his five-volume tome Pièces de Viole: each volume contains numerous “suites,” often with multiple preludes and upwards of a dozen movements, which gives the impression that they may be used as a sort of “fake book,” from which a performer may choose what they will. Due to the similarities of tuning between the viol family and the double bass, this repertoire is particularly well-suited to transcription. I have drawn these movements, all in their original key, from across Marais’ collection. This project began with the final movement, Les Voix humaines, during my first summer of study with Paul Ellison at le Domaine Forget.

This product is a PDF score which, along with the music itself, includes background information, technical advice, facsimiles and a critical report of all alterations made to suit the double bass. Upon purchase, I will email you your copy within a day.