Marc-Francois Beche’s Collection of Eleven Grands Motets by Esprit-Joseph-Antoine Blanchard (1696-1770)

Esprit-Joseph-Antoine Blanchard, a contemporary of Jean-Philippe Rameau, is regarded as a representative composer of religious music in eighteenth-century France. This book focuses on the eleven grands motets selected by Marc-Francois Beche, a highly esteemed singer of the Chapelle Royale, who had firsthand experience of Blanchard’s music performed during the king’s mass at Versailles. The author provides a comprehensive examination of Blanchard’s finest motets by exploring concepts and ideas that are appropriate in illuminating the composer’s musical style. He also discusses in detail various issues pertinent to the liturgical context and performance of this repertoire.