"The rich, pungent tones of the viola da gamba, played by Jordi Savall, are the main feature of this CD. Savall is an acknowledged master of the instrument, and of this music... The music is varied, including a celebratory introduction, but the more meditative mood predominates. Savall is joined on about half the tracks by a few other choice players in various combinations, with harpsichord, theorbo (a lute-like instrument of low range), violin, and/or second viola da gamba. The first track is the only one to include an entire (small) orchestra. Two tracks include vocals by Savall's wife Montserrat Figueras and Maria Cristina Kiehr.
The music is mostly by the two composers whose relationship is the focus of the movie, the mysterious Sainte-Colombe (c 1630-c 1700) and Marin Marais (1656-1728), with a few pieces by near contemporaries, and one by Savall." - via Amazon
I like "early" music generally (taking it to mean approx middle ages to 18th century, including the Baroque period) especially the viola/cello family stuff. The soundtrack to the 1991 film Tous Les Matins Du Monde (featuring Gérard Depardieu and his tragic son Guillaume) may hold up, but the OST is fantastic. One subject of the film, Monsieur de Sainte Colombe, was a composer whose work was championed by Spanish musician Jordi Savall - the main performer on the soundtrack and a long-time figure in the early music scene.
The whole thing available to stream on RDIO.
