MUS 351 Chapter Notes - Chapter 14: François Couperin, Concert Spirituel, Jean-Philippe Rameau
Document Summary
While italy had many cultural centers, france had only one: paris, the capital and by far the largest city. Paris was home to the most prestigious concert organizations like the concert spirituel, a public concert series founded in 1725. The royal court of louis xv continued to support musicians but no longer dominated musical life. Since the 17th century, italian music in france was viewed as a foreign influence, welcomed by some and resisted by others. The latest italian music could be heard in paris sonatats and concertos of corelli, vivaldi, and others. Many french composers sought to blend the 2 musical styles. Louis nicolas clerambault published 5 books of canatatas, alternated recitatives in the manner of lully with italianate arias. Jean-maria leclair, the principal french composer of violin sonatas, combined what he considered the classic purity of corelli with french grace and sweetness of melody, perfect clarity of texture and form, and tasteful decoration.
