About the composer
Sébastien de Brossard (1655 - 1730) was quite well-known in his time. Not only were some
eight books with his works published during his life, he also published a Dictionaire
de musique and a Catalogue des livres de musique théorique et pratique which
confirmed his reputation all over France. He was Maitre de Chapelle at the
cathedrals in Strassbourg and Meaux. About his application for this last job he has
written a nice story:
"In December 1698, passing through Meaux on my way from Paris to Strassbourg, I
learned that the maitrise was vacant at Meaux cathedral. I applied to the Chapter. I
conducted a Mass there, and they found it interesting, but I remembered that one of the
singers had said that a man who had never been a choirboy could not possibly have written
such a forceful mass. So I was obliged to ask the members of the Chapter to give me a
subject and have me locked up in a room. I started work at two o'clock on the Monday
afternoon and on the following Wednesday this psalm was performed after High Mass and I
was greeted with much applause, and the musician in question was reduced to silence."
| Date | 1702 |
| Performers | Three boy soprano's, countertenor, tenor, baritone, two basses, choir, strings and continuo |
| Length | 18.21 minutes |
| Particulars | The piece is divided into eight parts, varying from 1 to 5 stanzas. The CD-insert describes it as a an inspired work, showing Brossard's skill in counterpoint and harmony. It opens with a violently sung "Stabat" that depicts a cry of grief and in this way de Brossard tries to move, to touch his listeners. The final chorus is a fine piece. |
| Textual variations | The text according to the "Analecta" is used, with the exception of line 2 of stanza 9: not "Me sentire vim dolores" but "Fac me sentire vim dolores" |
| CD | Auvidis Astrée E 8619: Brossard, Oeuvres chorales (Choral works) |
| About this CD | The CD is dedicated to the choir music of Brossard. The Latin
is sung with a French pronunciation, probably chosen because this was common in that time. Recorded at the Church of St.Genest-Lerpe in November 1996. I bought this CD in a record shop in the Netherlands, 1998 |
| Orchestra | Le Mercure Galant |
| Choir | Les Pages et Les Chantres de la Chapelle |
| Conductor | Olivier Schneebell |
| Soloists | |
| Other works | Motet "Retribue servo tuo" Missa quinti toni pour la fête de Noël |
| Added | 1998 (BRO 01) |
E-mail:
stabatmater@dds.nl