Lalande: Majesté (Collection Château de Versailles)

Featuring

Dagmar Šašková
Emmanuelle de Negri
Sean Clayton
Cyril Auvity
André Morsch
Vincent Dumestre

Ensemble Aedes
Le Poème Harmonique
Michel-Richard de Lalande

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Composition History

Lalande's Te Deum, composed in 1684, was frequently performed at the court of Louis XIV and remained in the repertory for nearly a century, from 1684 to 1755.

Compositional Technique

Lalande's compositions for the Chapelle Royale introduced innovative orchestral conceptions, using new combinations of timbres and highlighting solo instruments like the bassoon for the first time.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded live over two evenings in the Chapelle Royale at the Château de Versailles, the historic venue where Lalande's music was originally performed.

Historical Context

The 'Messe du Roi' (King's Mass) at Versailles was a key court event, publicly expressing the monarch's piety and reinforcing the principles of Gallicanism, which asserted the French Church's autonomy from Rome.

Composer Biography

Michel-Richard de Lalande, the composer, became the preeminent composer of sacred music at Versailles after being personally chosen by King Louis XIV in 1682.

Interpretation

The version of Lalande's Te Deum on this album includes the composer's precise timings for each verse, providing valuable insight into historical performance practices for modern musicians.