Bach & his Contemporaries Session Five: France A LIFE Institute Course Bob Fabian Spring 2015 [LIFEcourses.ca] Session Plan Session Six Discussion Le Roi Danse (movie about Lully & Luis XIV) Jean-Baptiste Lully 1632-1687 Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe 1640-1700 Marin Maris 1656-1728 Michel Richard Delalande 1657-1726 Antoine Forqueray 1671-1745 François Couperin 1668-1733 Jean-Philippe Rameau 1683-1764
Session Six Open Question Missing Pieces Should all excerpts show live performers? Recorders playing Bach Bach Christmas Oratorio Bartoli singing Staffani Domenico Scarlatti Sonatas Dimitrie Cantemir (Middle East)* Echoes of J S Bach Well Tempered Clavichord Chopin Prelude 20, Op 28 Shostakovich 24 Preludes & Fugues* Jacques Loussier Trio Louis XIV 1638-1715 Personal rule of France began in 1661 after the death of his chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin Adherent of the concept of the divine right of kings He became one of the most powerful French monarchs and consolidated a system of absolute monarchical rule in France that endured until the French Revolution (1789-1799) * my additions
Le Roi Danse French movie released in 2000 There are two protagonists - Louis XIV, the French sun-king who has two passions, establishing absolute rule over the realm and artistic brilliancy as a dancer, and Gianbattista Lulli ('Jean-Baptiste' Lully), a Florentine upstart of unbridled ambition. First 15 minutes sets the stage for all the music which follows https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=mkmmnq7r2zo Jean-Baptiste Lully 1632-1687 Born: Giovanni Battista Lulli, became French in 1661 In 1646, dressed as Harlequin, amusing bystanders with his clowning and his violin, attracted the attention of Roger de Lorraine, chevalier de Guise, son of Charles, Duke of Guise, who was returning to France In 1653, Lully attracted the attention of young Louis XIV, dancing with him in the Ballet royal de la nuit Lully died from gangrene, having struck his foot with his long conducting staff during a performance of his Te Deum
Atys - tragédie en musique First performance on 1676 January 10 Although this opera was met with indifference by the Parisian audience, it became known as "the king's opera" because of King Louis XIV's love for it. It was repeated for Louis XIV in 1678 and 1682. Prologue in the Palace of the allegorical character Time. A chorus of Hours of the Day and Night sing the praises of a 'hero' (Louis XIV) in "Ses Justes loix, ses grands exploits" ("His just laws, his great exploits"). Chœur et orchestre Les Arts Florissants ; William Christie, conductor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3fuarvnau0 Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe Approximate dates: 1640-1700 Sainte-Colombe was a celebrated master of the viola da gamba, a much sought after teacher L' Animal Sonore; Concert XLIV "Tombeau les Regrets"; Pablo Romero & Pilar Almalé https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ivrubpl p7y Tous Les Matins Du Monde, 1991 trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb25pagh a_w
Marin Marais 1656-1728 French composer and viol player, studied with Lully, often conducted his operas, and with master of the bass viol Monsieur de SainteColombe for six months. Hired as a musician in 1676 to the royal court of Versailles; in 1679 was appointed ordinaire de la chambre du roy pour la viole Sonnerie de Saint Genèvieve du Mont-de-Paris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faox kvq5nda Michel Richard Delalande 1657-1726 French Baroque composer and organist in the service of Louis XIV. He was one of the most important composers of grands motets. Taught music to the daughters of Louis XIV, and was director of the French chapel royal from 1714 until his death at Versailles in 1726. Grands Motets - Les Arts Florissants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzjmu tlz5zs
Antoine Forqueray 1671-1745 Performed before Louis XIV at the age of ten. The king arranged for Forqueray to have music lessons at his own expense and in 1689, named him musicien ordinaire of La chambre du Roy a position he held for his entire life. La Du Vaucel, Luc Beausejour https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=sq_v5npbboc François Couperin 1668-1733 He was known as Couperin le Grand to distinguish him from other members of his family. In 1685 took over his father's position at Saint-Gervais, Paris. In 1693 became organiste du Roi Distinguished harpsichordist The Visionary, Keyboard Suite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3f lgrnuxzk
Jean-Philippe Rameau 1683-1784 One of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. He replaced Lully as the dominant composer of French opera. His debut opera, Hippolyte et Aricie (1733), caused a great stir and was fiercely attacked by the supporters of Lully's style of music for its revolutionary use of harmony. His operas widely performed today, but very often in modern or contemporary settings. Gardiner conducts Rameau 2011 BBC Proms Concert (75 minutes) Music from Zaïs, Dardanus, Les fêtes d'hébé & Les Boréades Dances from Platée & Hippolyte et Aricie Music from Castor et Pollux, Naïs & Les Boréades https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=m5ijl21msxw
Next Week Final session in the course Focus Choice bits & pieces that were not included in the first five sessions Opportunity for you to comment Goal: Provide a context for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. End: Very brief look at how the music of Bach echoes down the centuries.