Sébastien de Brossard (1655-1730) is still somewhat famous today, but for the wrong reason. He is no longer known for his compositions, but for his 'Dictionaire de Musique' from 1703, a work that is still a valuable source of French music from the seventeenth century. Brossard's music enjoyed considerable popularity at the time. Brossard was also a valued teacher and a great collector: he donated
… a large collection of manuscripts to the Bibliothèque Royale in 1725. He added some works of his own, according to his own words 'because there were still some empty folders'. This CD is filled with five spiritual works by Brossard, performed by Les Pages et Les Chantres de la Chapelle and Le Mercure Galant, conducted by conductor Olivier Schneebeli. Brossard wrote these works between 1698 and 1702, while he was working at Meaux Cathedral. Included here are "Stabat Mater, SdB.8", "Retribe servo tuo, SdB.4" and the "Missa Quinti Toni, SdB.5". Brossard's music shows an excellent mastery of counterpoint. The text depiction is striking, but nowhere annoyingly emphatic. Unfortunately, recordings of Brossard's works are still rare. That is why it is a pity that, although this version is not unacceptable, it still leaves a lot to be desired. (JvG) _ s music shows an excellent command of counterpoint. The text depiction is striking, but nowhere annoyingly emphatic. Unfortunately, recordings of Brossard's works are still rare. That is why it is a pity that, although this version is not unacceptable, it still leaves a lot to be desired. (JvG) _ s music testifies to an excellent command of counterpoint. The text depiction is striking, but nowhere annoyingly emphatic. Unfortunately, recordings of Brossard's works are still rare. That is why it is a pity that, although this version is not unacceptable, it still leaves a lot to be desired. (JvG) _more