L'Achéron

If melancholy and interiority are often the prerogative of the viola da gamba repertoire, the musicians who played it in the past were as renowned for the depth of their singing as for their prowess as experienced improvisers: from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, whether in Italy, Spain, France, Germany or England, improvisation was everywhere! 

As in jazz, where songs are used as a basis for improvisation, vocal music (madrigals, motets) from the 16th century was a huge source of improvisation for violinists (Ancor que col partire or Une jeune fillette for example), religious music too, where improvisers improvised on cantus firmus (the Spagna or In Nomine in particular), obstinate basses (Folies d'Espagne, Chaconne, Passamezzo, Romanesca, etc. ), but also tunes on free dances or basses (sarabande, courante, grounds, etc.) 

François Joubert-Caillet is a fan of improvisation, which he has already presented in his programme "Grounds, a baroque big band", and here he wants to do justice to the solo improvisation repertoire in a concert that is both festive and virtuoso, varied and timeless, using this fundamental practice of music to unite, at least in music, centuries and nations.

Cast (3 musicians)

François Joubert-Caillet, bass viol       
Bor Zuljan, archlute
Angélique Mauillon, harp