Antoine Forqueray

Antoine Forquerays (* September 1672 in Paris, † June 28, 1745 in Mantes -la -Jolie ) was a French composer and royal chamber musician and Marin Marais next most important viol player at the court of Louis XIV He was the father of Jean -Baptiste- Antoine Forquerays.

As a young boy Forquerays was given the opportunity Louis XIV on the viola da gamba audition. Impressed by his talent, the king decided that the young musician growing up in the court and should there receive training for viola da gamba player. 1689 he was appointed the King's Chamber Musicians. At the court he played along with François Couperin, Robert de Visée and others. In this position he remained until 1731 to Mantes -sur-Seine (now Mantes- la -Jolie ) retired. His son Jean -Baptiste Forquerays took over his position in 1742 at the court.

During his time at Versailles he made not only a name as a talent for improvisation, but also composed works for viola da gamba, some of which were collected by his son in the Pièces de Viole. His music has rather robust Italian character instead of the then customary in France, very campy and highly ornate style, which characterizes about Marin Marais ' works.