Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville, a French composer, was considered the leading composer of the grand motet of his generation.
Composition History
Much of Vivaldi's sacred music, including his Gloria, RV 589, was written for the Ospedale della Pietà, an orphanage and conservatory where he was Maestro de' concerti.
Composer Biography
Antonio Vivaldi, known as 'The Red Priest,' composed around 500 instrumental concertos and 45 operas, with his sacred works only rediscovered in the 1920s.
Performer Biography
Ivars Taurins, the director of this album, is the founding director of the Tafelmusik Chamber Choir and was a violist for the Tafelmusik Orchestra for its first 23 years.
Historical Context
Bach's Gloria, BWV 191, may have been prepared for a special Christmas Day service in 1745 at the Leipzig University Church, celebrating the Peace of Dresden.
Composition History
Bach's Gloria in excelsis Deo, BWV 191, is rarely performed but uses music adapted from his more famous Mass in B Minor.
Compositional Technique
Mondonville's Grand motet 'Dominus regnavit' was particularly renowned for including an operatic 'Tempête' (storm) to describe rising floodwaters.
