Johann Paul Aegidius Martini (1741-1816)
- MESSE DE REQUIEM PAR MARTINI,
Surintend.|t de la Musique de LOUI XVIII. | PRIX 50. (1816)
Performers: Adriana Gonzales (soprano); Sébastien Droy (tenor); Mikhail Timoshenko (bass-baritone);
Le Concert Spirituel; Hervé Niquet (conductor)
Further info: Requiems–F minor
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German composer and organist. Son of the organist Andreas Martin, he was
trained at the local Jesuit seminary. In 1758 he began studies in
philosophy at the University of Fribourg, supporting himself by playing
the organ at the local Franciscan convent. During this period he was
known as 'Schwarzendorf'. In 1760 he settled in Nancy, France, where he
obtained the patronage of Stanislaus I, Duke of Lorraine, who encouraged
him to move to Paris. In 1764 he established himself as a composer and
teacher there, known as 'Martini il Tedesco' in order to distinguish
himself from others of similar last name. In 1773 the prince promoted
him to the position of 'intendant de la musique', in which he wrote
chamber music, romances and chansons, and composed and arranged theatre
music. He functioned as the supervisor of music for the Prince de Condé,
and in 1787 he was a violinist at the Théâtre de Monsieur. During the
Revolution he stayed in Lyons, but in 1795 he returned to Paris where he
became an inspector at the Conservatoire. He also participated in
government-sponsored fêtes. He adapted skilfully to the changing
regimes. After the signing of the concordat re-establishing Roman
Catholicism in France (1802) and the failure of his most recent operas
to stay in the repertory, he turned increasingly to church music. He
also served the imperial regime, and his Messe solemnelle and Te Deum
were performed on official state occasions. Yet with the Restoration of
the Bourbons he insisted on, and received, his appointment as
'surintendant de la musique du roi'. As a composer, his music is similar
to François-Joseph Gossec and consists of 13 operas (and numerous
additions to others), two Te Deums, nine Masses, a Requiem, six Psalms,
eight symphonies, six flute quartets, six notturnos, six trios, and over
100 marches.
