Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre’s Trio Sonatas are pioneering late 17th-century French chamber works (c. 1695) that masterfully blend Italianate expressive intensity and harmonic depth with French melodic grace. They are among the earliest French examples of the genre, typically scored for two violins, viola da gamba, and basso continuo.
Key Characteristics and Context:
- Structure: Unlike the strict four-movement Corelli-type, these sonatas are often structured in multiple short, linked sections.
- Style: They are characterized by a “pathétique” (passionate) Italian style, featuring, for example, the use of short, dramatic pauses.
- Instrumentation: Often require a specific, independent string bass (cello or viola da gamba) alongside the harpsichord.
- Key Works: Key examples include the Sonata in G minor, Sonata in D major, and Sonata in B-flat major.
- Origin: Preserved in manuscript, these works were likely performed at Versailles, highlighting her role as a prominent, pioneering female composer of the era.
The trio sonatas represent a significant contribution to the fusion of French and Italian baroque styles, often featuring virtuosic, lyrical, and sometimes rhapsodic sections.
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