In the religious times of Louis XIV, Easter was the most important time for the piety of society as a whole. But Christmas was becoming increasingly important, to the point where it took second place in the hearts of the faithful. Specific scores were dedicated to the Advent and Nativity seasons, using popular melodies and silencing the organ from the first Sunday in Advent until Christmas, when it re-emerged with a vengeance to play the famous Noëls variés !

Although Charpentier found his way back to posterity with the first notes of his Te Deum, his Messe de minuit pour Noël is probably one of the works for which he is best known! It invites us to plunge back into a musical world where learned and popular traditions are not opposed, quite the contrary: all Charpentier’s art and science are illustrated in this invitation to traditional carols within a mass composed around 1690 for Christmas Eve. These melodies were familiar to everyone, peasants and gentlemen alike, who recognised them, interwoven within a subtle counterpoint and renewed harmony, enriched by orchestral parts. The pleasure of music was available to everyone: from recognising a familiar tune to grasping its extraordinary arrangement. The simplicity of the original hymns also gave the whole Mass a candour and simplicity that spoke universally at the time.

CD available in the Château de Versailles Spectacles collection.

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)
Midnight Mass

Introit for Christmas Night

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704)

Dixit Dominus H. 202

Ô Créateur H. 531

Tous les bourgeois de Chastres H. 534

Où s’en vont ces gays bergers H. 534

Chantons je vous en prie

À la venue de Noël H. 534

Dialogus inter angelos et pastores judae H. 420

Or nous dites Marie H. 534

Messe de Minuit H. 9

Kyrie

Joseph est bien marié H. 534

Christe

Kyrie

Une jeune Pucelle H. 534

Gloria

Credo

Offertoire

Laissez paître vos bêtes

Sanctus

Agnus dei

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PRESTIGE CATEGORY : Excellent seats, you will receive a complimentary programme and a glass of champagne.

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