Jean Gilles (1668-1705)
- Laudate nomen domini // En Simphonie
Performers: Marie-Claire Cottin (soprano); Pierre Pеgaud (tenor); Joseph
Sagе (countertenor); Jacques Bοna (bass); Michel Carеy (baritone);
Avignοn Vocal Ensemble; Georges Durаnd (conductor)
Further info: Jean Gilles (1668-1705) - Te Deum (1697)
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French composer. He received music training in the choir school of the
Cathedral of St. Sauveur at Aix-en-Provence. His teacher was Guillaume
Poitevin, who also taught André Campra and Esprit Antoine Blanchard. On 5
November 1688, at Poitevin’s request, he shared the positions of
sous-maître and organist with another student, Jacques Cabassol.
Poitevin retired on 4 May 1693 and he succeeded him as maître de
musique. After moving on several times, he was appointed maître de
musique at the Cathedral of St Etienne at Toulouse in 1697, as the
successor of André Campra. In 1701 the Duke of Burgundy and the duc de
Berry, grandsons of Louis XIV, visited Toulouse with great ceremony.
With the attention this event brought him, Gilles’s reputation grew, and
in July 1701 he was offered the directorship of the choir school at
Notre Dame des Doms, Avignon. He agreed to accept, and Rameau was
appointed to deputize until he arrived, but although Gilles may have
spent a short time at Avignon he never left his post at Toulouse. As a
composer, his most famous work was Messe des morts, which contains an
erudite fugue in its Requiem, attesting to Gilles's excellent technique.
It became part of the regular services at funerals and was performed at
services for Louis XV in 1774. He additionally wrote 32 choral motets
and other sacred works.
