The Chevalier de Quincy: an officer and his musical passe-partout

Abstract

In common with many military officers at the turn of the 18th century, Joseph Sevin kept a journal that chronicled army life on and off the battlefield. His memoirs, covering the years 1697 to 1713, are of particular interest because they reveal his pleasure in making music with his fellow officers and the women whom he met socially. While boasting of only modest attainments, the Chevalier de Quincy adored his basse de viole and took it everywhere he went in the course of the War of the Spanish Succession, from Paris to the châteaux of Quincy, Versailles and Fontainebleau, to Provence, Flanders and Italy. His descriptions bring to life the musical occasions in which he took part or simply attended. They also mention fellow officers who we know played and enjoyed the viol. Among the many bonds between members of the noblesse militaire, music can at last be counted.