The viola da gamba, a fretted precursor to the modern cello, was a hugely popular instrument during the baroque era, and music was written for consorts of viols, for duos and trios, and for solo viols with and without basso continuo accompaniment. The most important composer for this instrument was Marin Marais, and with this collection of pieces written at around the turn of the 18th century he paid tribute to his musical predecessors Jean-Baptiste Lully and the obscure but highly influential Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe. Jordi Savall is the perfect exponent for this music, and brings both a delicacy of touch and a deep idiomatic understanding to the recording.