Composer: Jacques-Philippe Lamoninary
Performer: Emmanuel Resche-Caserta, Patrizio Germone, Hemiolia
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Passacaille
Catalogue: PAS1136
Release: 2023
Size: 1.15 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Sonata No. 1 for 2 Violins and Bass in G minor, Op. 1 No. 1
01. I. Allegro ma non tropo
02. II. Andante
03. III. Minuetto. Amoroso
Sonata No. 2 for 2 Violins and Bass in A minor, Op. 1 No. 2
04. I. Allegro ma non tropo
05. II. Andante
06. III. Minuetto. Amoroso
Sonata No. 3 for 2 Violins and Bass in B flat major, Op. 1 No. 3
07. I. Allegro
08. II. Minuetto. Amoroso
09. III. Giga. Allegro
Sonata No. 4 for 2 Violins and Bass in C minor, Op. 1 No. 4
10. I. Allegro ma non tropo
11. II. Adagio
12. III. Gratioso un poco Allegro
Sonata No. 5 for 2 Violins and Bass in D major, Op. 1 No. 5
13. I. Allegro
14. II. Andante
15. III. Minuetto. Amoroso
Sonata No. 6 for 2 Violins and Bass in E major, Op. 1 No. 6
16. I. Allegro
17. II. Andante
18. III. Minuetto. Amoroso
Does anyone know the violinist Jacques-Philippe Lamoninary, who was born in northern France at the beginning of the 18th century? Despite his fairly regional career, Lamoninary knew plenty about the numerous Italian composers who were in vogue in France around 1750. He perfectly mastered the art of composing sonatas for two violins and bass in the Italian style, as his first three opera reveal. He can therefore be associated with the French school of composition, which was clearly inspired by Italy, but also by Rameau. With this recording, the Ensemble Hemiolia – with violinist Emmanuel Resche-Caserta – wishes to pay tribute to this brilliant and enigmatic composer, whose music invites us to a voyage of discovery from the very first note.
The four musicians that make up the Hemiolia ensemble certainly made a substantial impact at the première of their Six Sonatas for 2 violins and basso continuo by Sieur Jacques-Philippe Lamoninary, born in 1707 in…Maroilles. This goes some way to explaining the humorous appearance of the eponymous cheese on the cover, inviting listeners to a gourmet and odourless tasting.
Far from any arts centre, this virtuoso violinist of the 18th century had a successful provincial career which was nothing out-of-the-ordinary for the time. However, this did not prevent him from understanding and perfectly mastering the writing of this “Italian” sonata. Extremely active in Valenciennes, which enjoyed a remarkable amount of artistic activity under the Ancien Régime, Lamoninary became the first violinist at the Chapelle Saint-Pierre, one of the city’s main musical centres. His life would end on a somewhat sad note at the ripe old age of 95, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, where he made his living giving singing and violin lessons.
Staying within the confines of his region, Jacques-Philippe Lamoninary certainly didn’t go down in history and his work, printed by royal privilege but little distributed, remained where he left it. The Six Sonates en trio presented here, form his opus 1, and three books would follow. They fit perfectly with the prevailing language in France at the time, with a gallant style inspired by Italian violinists, in particular that of Giuseppe Tartini.