Flourished 1658–87
Died by 1701
- M. de Sainte-Colombe was a French viol player and composer who flourished during the second half of the 17th century.
- We are not sure when he was born; his approximate death is determined by the appearance of a memorial tribute composition by his former student Marin Marias.
- For a long time historians were unsure what his first name was (hence programming him as M. de Sainte-Colombe). However, his Grove article explains why, judging from contemporary sources such as notary signatures, they think his first name was Jean.
- That memorial piece by Marias is entitled Tombeau de M. Sainte-Colombe, with no first name.
- Sainte-Colombe was lauded in his time for being an excellent teacher and for various bass viol innovations, like adding a seventh string to the instrument and inventing new playing techniques.
- Sainte-Colombe composed over 180 solo pieces for the bass viol and 67 Concerts à deux violes esgales (pieces for two viols of equal range).
- Sainte-Colombe also a son who worked in London, known as “Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe le fils.”3
Article on Sainte-Colombe by Jonathan Dunford, the composer’s Grove entry author