Robert de Visée

Robert de Visée (ca. 1650  – 1725) was a lutenist, guitarist, theorbist and viol player at the court of Louis XIV, as well as a singer, and composer for lute, theorbo and guitar.

Biography

Robert de Visée’s origin is unknown, although a Portuguese origin of his surname had been suggested. He was likely to have studied with Francesco Corbetta. About 1680 he became a chamber musician to Louis XIV, in which capacity he often performed at court. He is also mentioned (in 1709) as a singer in the royal chamber, and in 1719 he was named “Guitar Master of the King” (Maître de Guitare du Roi). Rousseau reported that he also played the viol at court. Visée wrote two books of guitar music which contained twelve suites between them: Livre de guitare dédié au roi (Paris, 1682) and Livre de pièces pour la guitare (Paris 1686). He composed many suites of pieces for theorbo and Baroque lute (the bulk of which are preserved in the Saizenay Ms.), as well as a collection of ensemble pieces.

Works

Complete index of de Visée’s pieces for the guitar:

• 1682 “Livre de Guitarre, dédie au roi”:
• Suite № 1 in A Minor

Prélude Allemande Courante Sarabande Gigue Passacaille Gavotte Gavotte Bourrée

• Suite № 2 in A Major

Allemande Courante Sarabande

• Suite № 3 in D Minor

Prélude Allemande Courante Courante Sarabande Sarabande Gigue Passacaille Gavotte Gavotte Menuet Rondeau Menuet Rondeau Bourrée

• Suite № 4 in G Minor

Prélude Allemande Courante Double de la Courante Sarabande Gigue Menuet Gavotte

• Suite № 5 in G Major

Sarabande Sarabande Gigue

• Suite № 6 in C Minor

Prélude Tombeau de Mr. Francisque Corbet Courante Sarabande Sarabande en Rondeau Gavotte

• Suite № 7 in C Major

Prélude Allemande Courante Sarabande Gigue, a la Maniere Angloise Gavotte Menuet

• Chacone (F Major)

• Suite № 8 in G Major

Prélude (Accord Nouveau) Allemande Courante Sarabande Gigue Sarabande Chacone Gavotte Menuet Bourrée

• 1686 Livre de Pieces pour la Guitarre:
• Suite № 9 in D Minor

Prélude Allemande Courante Sarabande Gigue Gavotte Bourrée Menuet Passacaille Menuet

• Suite № 10 in G Minor

Prélude Allemande Courante Sarabande Gigue Menuet Chacone Gavotte Bourrée Menuet

Sarabande (A Minor)

Gigue (A Minor)

Sarabande (A Major)

Menuet (A Major)

• Suite № 11 in B Minor

Prélude Allemande Sarabande Gigue Passacaille

Suite № 12 in E Minor Sarabande Menuet Passacaille

Menuet (C Major)

• Manuscript Pieces:

• Pieces in A minor

Prélude Allemande Villanelle (& Contrepartie)

• Pieces in A major

Prélude Rondeau

• Pieces in C major

Courante Gigue

• Pieces in D minor

Allemande “La Royalle” Sarabande Masquerade Gigue Gavotte Chacone

• Pieces in D major

Sarabande Gavotte Chacone Gavotte Rondeau (& Contrepartie)

• Pieces in G minor

Prélude Prélude Allemande Sarabande Gavotte Gavotte en Rondeau Ouverture de la Grotte De Versaille (de Lully) Entrée d’Appollon (de Lully)

• Pieces in G major

Allemande Courante Sarabande Gigue Gigue Musette (Rondeau)

External links

• Free scores by Robert de Visée in the Werner Icking Music Archive (WIMA)
• Works by or about Robert de Visée in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
• Media:theorbo pieces played by Yair Avidor

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