Charles Mouton

Full biography Charles Mouton

Charles Mouton (1617 - before 1699) was a French baroque lutenist and composer. He was born in Paris and little is known about his life beyond his profession. Mouton's surviving compositions consist mostly of intricate pieces for solo lute, but he also wrote chamber music and songs. He played an important role in the development of baroque lute music and his works are often included in modern performances and recordings of 17th century lute music.

Mouton was a contemporary of Denis Gaultier and Robert de Visée, two other important French lutenists of the time. He was known for his virtuosic playing style and the complexity of his compositions, which often included intricate ornamentation and polyphonic textures. His music was influenced by Italian music, particularly that of Girolamo Frescobaldi and Giovanni Kapsberger, as well as French courtly music.

Mouton's surviving works include several suites, preludes, allemandes, courantes, sarabandes, and chaconnes. Many of these pieces are marked by their intricate ornamentation, as well as their use of dissonances and complex harmonies. Some of his most famous works include the chaconne in G major and the courante in C minor.

Overall, Charles Mouton was an important figure in the development of French baroque lute music. His compositions were highly original and complex, and his virtuosic playing style helped establish the lute as an important solo instrument in the 17th century. His legacy continues today, as his works are still performed and studied by lutenists and early music enthusiasts around the world.