Grands Motets

Description

Mondonville composed the apotheosis of the Grand Motet à la française: a product of the rhetorical heritage of Lalande and the operatic style of Rameau, he developed a sacred work symbolic of the Age of Enlightenment. His grand musical frescoes, animated by sumptuous counterpoint that transfigures the sound of the choir, demand extraordinary virtuosity and touch the sublime. A true star of the Concert Spirituel, Mondonville became its most performed composer while serving the Chapelle Royale: the public flocked to savor this "rocaille" style music, which is the sacred expression of the reign of Louis XV. Gaétan Jarry presents us with the three most splendid jewels of this repertoire.