Claude Gervaise

Claude Gervaise (* 1510 in Paris ();? † after 1558 ibid ()) was a French viol player and composer of the Renaissance.

Presumably he spent his life in the French capital, and had probably as a musician in the court chapel of King Francis I.

In addition to some four-part chansons he created especially some polyphonic dance pieces in folk style, which were extremely popular in his time in Paris high society. He also edited the Danseries by Pierre Attaignant and extended the dances with their own songs; yet he preferred Pavane and Gaillarde.

1935 edited Francis Poulenc works Gervaise in the siebensätzigen Suite française d'après Claude Gervaise for piano and twelve -member chamber ensemble.