#frenchbaroque

In 1685, the master cabinetmaker Alexandre-Jean Oppenordt received a commission from Louis XIV for 2 desks for his small rooms, which were situated behind the Hall of Mirrors. The desks were sumptuously finished with première partie marquetry, brass plaques, red tortoiseshell, and monograms of the King’s ciphers. One of these magnificent desks now stands on show at The Met, whilst the other, after passing through various fabulous hands in Europe, was repatriated back to France, being having been classified as a National Treasure. After a long and careful restoration, the desk today proudly stands in the Salon de l’Abondance, back home in Versailles. Photograph by Christophe Fouin #chateaudeversailles #versailles #palaceofversailles #salondelabondance #france #louisxiv #alexandrejeanoppenordt #cabinetmaker #17thcentury #royalapartments #decorativearts #frenchdecorativearts #frenchdecorativeantiques #antiquefurniture #ancienregime #frenchbaroque #portraits #painting #writingdesk #interiors #decor #decoration #marquetry #tortoishell #pearl #sculpture #interiordecor #interiordecorating #interiordecoration #interiordecorator (at Château de Versailles) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0MjqVITsV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The golden garden façade of the Sanssouci Palace, the summer residence of the Prussian King Frederick the Great. ___________________________________________ Photography via Pinterest #sanssouci #potsdam #berlin #germany #palace #architecture #18thcentury #18thcenturyarchitecture #rococo #royalpalace #summerpalace #summerresidence #historicalbuilding #historicalplace #rococostyle #baroque #frenchbaroque #villa #corpsdelogis #sanssoucipalace #architect #architecturephotography #facade #gardens #palacegarden #gardendesign #worldheritagesite #unesco #historicallandmark #urns (at Sanssouci Palace) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeJN9rCouTn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Returning once again to the great and underrated French Baroque composers, here is Nicolas de Grigny’s Dialogue sur les grands jeux. Played by Christophe Mantoux in Paris. 

Another brilliant French Baroque composer, named Michel Corrette (1707- 1795). He also authored works on music theory, which would be fascinating to read. Here is a collection of concertos for organ and orchestra, Opus 26. 

Brilliant works from Louis Marchand. This is his first organ book from 1700, performed by outstanding organist Michel Chapuis in 1962. (Chapuis is responsible for some of my favourite recordings of Bach organ works, too). Marchand’s work once again shows the depth and breadth of the French Baroque organ school, no less great than the German/Dutch organ school. If Louis Marchand really did challenge Bach to a duel, then he may have had good reason, since his works, similarly to Bach, show an astonishing inventiveness and complexity. 

I was shown an article many years ago in an organ magazine, which asked why more organists didn’t play the music of French Baroque organ, which the author argued was harder than German repertoire. A good question! 

Don’t assume that only the Germans knew how to use flair and imagination. The French turned out some outstanding composers during this period: de Grigny, Japart, Titelouze, Marchand, Raison, Charpentier, and many others. Will be listening to more French Baroque soon. 

I have seen this video recommended by Youtube several times and never played it. Having decided to listen to new composers today, I am glad I changed my mind. Marin Marais (1656- 1728), was a French composer who studied under Jean-Baptiste Lully no less, and whose son Roland (1685- c.1750-- same lifespan as Bach!) was also a composer. Notably, Marais played the viol, a beautiful instrument popular during the Baroque age.