Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe

Full biography Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe

Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe was a notable Baroque composer and virtuoso viola da gamba player who lived in France during the 17th century. He was born in 1640 in Burgundy, France and began his musical career as a viol player and singer in the French court, where he quickly gained a reputation as a skilled musician and an expert in the art of bass viol.

Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe is best known for his innovative contributions to the viola da gamba, a stringed instrument that had been popular in Europe since the 16th century. He was known for developing new techniques and playing styles for the viola da gamba, which were highly regarded by other musicians and composers of his time.

In addition to his reputation as a skilled musician, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe was also known for his reclusive and solitary lifestyle, which earned him the nickname "the hermit of Sainte-Colombe." He was said to spend hours practicing and composing in a secluded room in his home, which was situated on the banks of the river Rhone.

Despite his relatively obscure position in the history of music, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe's influence was felt by later generations of composers, including Marin Marais and Jean-Baptiste Forqueray, both of whom were his students. His music continues to be appreciated by musicians and audiences alike, and his legacy as a master of the viola da gamba endures to this day.