Sacred Music: Between Rome and Versailles

The Grand Motet

French sacred music developed its own monumental style in the grand motet, performed at the king's chapel and combining: - Large chorus and orchestra - Solo voices in the Italian style - French dance rhythms - Latin texts from psalms and canticles

Michel-Richard de Lalande (1657-1726) composed over 70 grands motets that became the cornerstone of Versailles's religious music. His "De Profundis" and "Te Deum" balanced Italian expressivity with French grandeur.

The Organ Tradition

French organ music developed distinctive characteristics tied to the instruments themselves. French Classical organs featured: - Colorful reed stops (Trompette, Cromorne, Voix humaine) - Brilliant mixtures and mutations - Split keyboards allowing dialogue effects

Major composers included: - François Couperin: Two organ masses showcasing liturgical propriety - Nicolas de Grigny (1672-1703): His Livre d'orgue influenced Bach - Louis Marchand (1669-1732): Virtuoso whose planned competition with Bach never materialized