J.-B. Robin; Les Agrémens & La Fenice - J. Tubéry; F. Espinasse; H. Ledroit; Le Poème Harmonique - V. Dumestre; M. Bouvard; F. Désenclos; Les Pages & les Chantres du CMBV - O. Scheebeli
Splendeurs de la Musique sacrée sous Louis XIV 1. Lebègue : Prélude du Premier Livre d'Orgue [Alpha 950] / 2. Charpentier, Te Deum, H. 146_ I. Prélude [Ricercar 245] / 3. Te Deum, H. 146_ II. Te Deum laudamus / 4. Te Deum, H. 146_ III. Te aeternum Patrem / 5. Te Deum, H. 146_ IV. Te per orbem terrarum / / 6. Te Deum, H. 146_ V. Tu de victo mortis aculeo / 7. Te Deum, H. 146_ VI. Te ergo quaesumus / 8. Te Deum, H. 146_ VII. AEterna fac sum Sanctis tuis / 9. Te Deum, H. 146_ VIII. Dignare Domine / 10. Te Deum, H. 146_ IX. In te Domine speravi / 11. Couperin : Elevation, Tierce en taille [Alpha 950] / 12. Dumont : Cantica Sacra : II. In Lectulo Meo [Ricercar 230] / 13. Couperin : Plein Jeu, premier Couplet du Kyrie [Alpha 950] / 14. Delalande : Miserere (Dumestre) [Alpha 030] / 15. Marchand : Grand Dialogue [Alpha 950 Orgues à Versailles] / 16. Dumont : Motet à deux voix : II. In Lectulo Meo [Ricercar 230] / 17. Dandrieu : Offertoire sur les Grands Jeux [Alpha 950] / 18. Charpentier : Domine Salvum Fac Regem [Alpha 050]
During the reign of Louis XIV (1638-1715) sacred music took three essential forms: the largescale grand motet (specific to the French court), the smaller-scale petit motet, and organ pieces alternating with plainchant. All three forms were brought together at Versailles in the daily celebration of the king's mass. They were also the components of the important religious ceremonies that were held at the principal churches of Paris, such as Notre Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle, which maintained a body of first-rate musicians. Sacred music at Versailles included the ordinary daily office, but also the performance on special occasions of pieces such as the Te Deum. The famous 'pomp' of Versailles, as illustrated by the glorious Te Deum setting by Marc-Antoine Charpentier heard on this recording, involving soloists, a large chorus and an orchestra with trumpets and timpani, co-existed with exceptionally intimate works, such as Lalande's Miserere or the petits motets composed by Du Mont, which illustrate the most personal aspect of French sacred music of the Baroque era. Finally, organ music played a part in religious ceremonies throughout the kingdom, in the cathedrals of the provinces and in the Royal Chapel. At Versailles four organists shared the task of playing the instrument commissioned by Louis XIV, with each one taking a quarter of the year. Francois Couperin and Louis Marchand were among the most famous of the royal organists.
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