Short bio Henri Desmarest
Full biography Henri Desmarest
Henri Desmarets (1661-1741) was a French composer of the Baroque period. He is known primarily for his stage works, although he also composed sacred music. He was born in Paris and began his career as a singer and violinist in the court of Louis XIV. In 1693, he was appointed as a composer to the court of the Duke of Burgundy. During his time there, he composed several operas, including "Endymion" and "Les Amours de Momus".
Desmarets' music is characterized by its dramatic intensity and elaborate ornamentation. He was known for his ability to combine French and Italian musical styles, and his work was highly influential on other composers of the time. His work was also notable for its innovative use of instrumental forces, particularly in his use of strings.
Despite his success as a composer, Desmarets often experienced financial difficulties throughout his life. He was forced to sell his music to publishers in order to make ends meet, and he eventually fell out of favor with the court after being accused of plagiarism. Despite these setbacks, however, he continued to compose until his death in 1741.
Today, Desmarets' music is still performed and recorded, and he is recognized as one of the most important composers of the Baroque period. His works continue to be admired for their dramatic intensity and innovative use of musical techniques, and his influence can be seen in the work of countless later composers.
Compositions featuring Henri Desmarest
| # | Name | Duration | Genre | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deux Grands Motets Lorrains | Choral | 1710 | |
| 2 | Exandiat et Dominus, motet | Choral | 1704 | |
| 3 | Messe à 2 choruses | 19:13 min | Choral | 1704 |
| 4 | Venus and Adonis, opera in 5 acts | 131:52 min | Opera | 1697 |
| 5 | La Diane de Fontainebleau, divertissement | 46:11 min | Opera | 1686 |
| 6 | Circé, opera | 154:55 min | Opera | 1684 |
| 7 | Les Louanges de Dieu, for chorus | 17:53 min | Choral | - |
| 8 | Veni Creator (hymne pour la fête de la Pentecôte), motet | 15:21 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 9 | Usquequo Domine | 20:15 min | Choral | - |
| 10 | Te Deum de Paris | 34:09 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 11 | Rigaudon | 1:40 min | Orchestral | - |
| 12 | Passepied | 0:50 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 13 | Mystère de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, oratorio | Choral | - | |
| 14 | Menuet | 0:54 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 15 | Marche Lorraine | 2:31 min | Miscellaneous (Classical) | - |
| 16 | Lauda Jerusalem | 21:45 min | Choral | - |
| 17 | Dominus Regnavit, for 6 voices, double chorus & 5 instruments | 27:30 min | Choral | - |
| 18 | Domine ne in furore | 20:30 min | Choral | - |
| 19 | Didon, opera | Opera | - | |
| 20 | De Profundis (Psaume 129), motet | 23:32 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 21 | Cum Invocarem (Psaume 4), motet | 17:12 min | Chamber Music | - |
| 22 | Confitebor Tibi Domine | 25:30 min | Choral | - |
Albums featuring Henri Desmarest
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Lully, Charpentier, Desmarets - Véronique Gens, Ensemble Les Surprises, Louis-Noël Bestion de Camboulas – Passion(CD, ) | 2021 | Alpha Classics |
| 2 |  |
Francesc Valls, Henry Desmarest - La Capella Reial De Catalunya, Le Concert Des Nations, Jordi Savall – In Excelsis Deo - Au Temps De La Guerre De Succession D'Espagne 1701-1714(2×SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo) | 2017 | Alia Vox |
| 3 |  |
Lully - Rameau - Gluck - Desmarest - Les Talens Lyriques, Christophe Rousset – Les Grandes Eaux Musicales De Versailles(CD, Album, Reissue) | 2008 | Naïve |
| 4 |  |
Desmarest / Les Talens Lyriques - Christophe Rousset – Vénus & Adonis(2×CD, Album) | 2007 | Ambroisie |
| 5 |  |
Henry Desmarest - Le Concert Spirituel, Hervé Niquet – Grands Motets, Vol. II (Un Scandale À La Musique Du Roi)(CD, ) | 2005 | Glossa |
| 6 |  |
Henry Desmarest / Le Concert Spirituel, Hervé Niquet – Dominus Regnavit, Te Deum de Paris | 2003 | Glossa |
| 7 |  |
Desmarest, Les Arts Florissants, William Christie – Grands Motets Lorrains | 2000 | Erato |
| 8 |  |
Henry Desmarest, Les Pages & Les Chantres De La Chapelle, Nova Stravaganza, Olivier Schneebelli – Messe à Deux Chœurs Et Deux Orchestres | 2000 | Virgin Veritas |
| 9 |  |
Henry Desmarest, La Simphonie Du Marais, Hugo Reyne – Henry Desmarest(CD, Album) | 1998 | Astrée |
| 10 |  |
Henry Desmarest - Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montreal, Les Violons du Roy, Christopher Jackson (5) – Quatre Motets Lorrains(2×CD, Album, Box Set, ) | 1995 | K617 |
| 11 |  |
Henry Desmarest, Soli-Choeur Du New College D'Oxford, Ensemble Fiori Musicali, Edward Higginbottom – 2 Motets Lorrains: Domine Ne In Furore - Confitebor(LP, Stereo) | 1983 | Erato |
| 12 |  |
Michel Corrette, Henri Desmarets, Ensemble Vocal Et Instrumental De Lyon Dir. Guy Cornut – Laudate Dominum / Mystères de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ | 1976 | Erato |
| 13 |  |
Henry Desmarest, Le Concert Lorrain, Anne Catherine Bucher – Manuscrit Des Ursulines De La Nouvelle-Orléans = Baroque Music In New Orleans(CD, ) | - | K617 |
| 14 |  |
Henry Desmarest, Edward Higginbottom, Guy Cornut, Ensemble Vocal Et Instrumental De Lyon, The New College Oxford Choir, Fiori Musicali – Deux Grands Motets Lorrains / Mystères de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ(CD, Stereo) | - | Erato |
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