Charpentier's In nativitatem Domini canticum, H.416, uses a noticeable modal shift from C minor to C major between its two sections to reflect the text's division.
Compositional Technique
In his Messe de Minuit pour Noël, Charpentier combined French and Italian national styles, modality with tonality, and sacred with profane elements.
Composition History
Charpentier's Messe de Minuit pour Noël, H.9, written around 1694, incorporates popular Christmas carols by setting sections of the Latin text to these secular tunes.
Composer Biography
Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704), the composer, studied in Rome with the great oratorio composer Giacomo Carissimi from 1666, acquiring a dramatic Italian liturgical style.
Album & Artwork
The cover image for this album is "The adoration of the shepherds" by Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1556).
Historical Context
Charpentier faced challenges in France due to Jean-Baptiste Lully, who dominated the musical scene and rejected Italian music and composers trained in Italy.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak, London, from December 11-13, 2024, by Floating Earth Ltd.
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