Charpentier / Lully Te Deum Le Poème Harmonique & Vincent Dumestre

• 1 Te Deum, H. 146 - Prélude 01:20
• 2 Te Deum, H. 146 - Te Deum laudamus 01:02
• 3 Te Deum, H. 146 - Te aeternum Patrem 04:08
• 4 Te Deum, H. 146 - Te per orbem terrarum 04:16
• 5 Te Deum, H. 146 - Tu devicto mortis aculeo 01:13
• 6 Te Deum, H. 146 - Te ergo quaesumus, famulis tuis subveni 02:13
• 7 Te Deum, H. 146 - Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis 02:16
• 8 Te Deum, H. 146 - Dignare Domine - Fiat misericordia 04:00
• 9 Te Deum, H. 146 - In te, Domine speravi 02:19
• 10 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Te Deum laudamus 02:58
• 11 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Tibi omnes angeli 01:16
• 12 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Pleni sunt caeli et terra 03:18
• 13 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Patrem immensae majestatis 03:53
• 14 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Tu rex gloriae, Christe 02:59
• 15 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes 01:15
• 16 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Te ergo quaesumus, famulis tuis subveni 03:31
• 17 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine 04:45
• 18 Te Deum, LWV 55 - Dignare Domine die isto 06:47
• 19 Te Deum, LWV 55 - In te Domine speravi 02:03
• Total Runtime 55:32

Info for Charpentier / Lully Te Deum

This recording of the Poème Harmonique revitalizes Charpentier's and Lully's Te Deum, two magnificent pieces of sacred music celebrating the Sun King's victory and recovery. Lully, who was of Italian origin, found the essence and style of French art, while Charpentier gave the emotion and composition methods he had learned from the Italians to the music of his country. This is the story of two musicians, two countries, two aesthetics, and two fundamental stakes. Lully became a lauded composer, outshining Charpentier and relegating him to an undeserved subpar position.

The glory of the music of Versailles owes much to two masterpieces: the Te Deum set to music successively by Lully (1677) then by Charpentier (1692).

Music of celebration, used in exceptional situations, the Te Deum celebrates with Versailles pomp, a military victory, Peace, an occasion of general rejoicing and giving thanks to God. The piece however obviously Praises the 'World's Greatest King', Louis XIV victorious and the earthly incarnation of omnipotence. To this magnificent and highly contrasting text, the great French motet with great choir and symphony uses its full resounding power ('drums and trumpets' give rhythm to the piece) and all its eloquence. The Latin text is taken literally and is rhetorically illustrated by the soloists and the choir, the images follow one another with force, until the final triumph of God and the King, and therefore of France. Lully created this monumental genre, and lost his life conducting a Te Deum with 150 performers in 1687 (the fatal gangrene caused by striking his toe with a long staff). As for Charpentier, his work became the theme music for the Eurovison song contest: posthumous, yet significant glory! Vincent Dumestre brings both masterly compositions to their perfection, recording them live at the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles, their original setting.

Amel Brahim-Djelloul, soprano
Aurore Bucher, soprano
Reinoud Van Mechelen, countertenor
Jeffrey Thompson, tenor
Geoffroy Buffière, bass
Le Poème Harmonique
Vincent Dumestre, conductor
Capella Cracoviensis
Jan Tomasz Adamus, conductor

Recorded in the Chapelle Royale du Chateau de Versailles, France, 25 March 2013

No biography found.

Booklet for Charpentier / Lully Te Deum