André Maugars

André Maugars (* 1580, † 1645 ) was a French viol player. Marin Mersenne and Nicolas Hotman designated it as the first French virtuoso on the viola da gamba, especially as an improviser of diminutions.

Maugars went in 1620 to England and remained there for four years. Maybe he was at this time in the service of James I in the court orchestra. After his return he published a French translation of Francis Bacon's writing Advancement of Learning ( 1605 ). He first worked as an interpreter at the French court, and later for the Cardinal Richelieu. This appointed him in 1630 to the prior of the monastery of St. Pierre- Eynac in Le Puy -en -Velay. 1634 published Maugars the translation of a further written by Bacon, Considerations Touching on a War with Spain. 1637 or in the following year traveled to Rome Maugars. Following this trip, he wrote an open letter published in Paris about his Italian travel experiences. This letter is a valuable music historical testimony about the contemporary Italian church music, oratorios and instrumental works over in comparison to the French music of the 17th century.

Works

• Response to at Inquisitive person on the Italian feeling about Music. In: Carol McClintock (ed.): Readings in the History of Music in Performance. Indiana University Press, Bloomington 1979, p 117-126

• French musicians
• Gambist
• Born in the 16th century
• Died in the 17th century
• Man