Composé a l’ordre du Roi - Music for the French Royal Court

A programme of rarely heard works composed in the years Couperin was establishing himself at the French Court, first as a church musician, and then as harpsichordist.

Whilst his contemporary and mentor Delalande was writing elaborate grands motets – full-scale psalm settings for orchestra and large vocal ensemble – Couperin concentrated on the petit motet, destined for more intimate occasions, written for solo voices with the addition of 'symphonies' (lightly scored instrumental accompaniments). They reveal Couperin's genius for word-setting, and his subtle combining of Italian and French stylistic traits. The programme will include settings of Regina caeli, O misterium ineffabile, Magnificat, Motet de St Barthélemy, Domine salvum fac Deus, Ad te levavi, Lauda Sion and extraits from the 1703 collection of versets 'composé de l'ordre du roi'. All this curated by the French baroque specialist, Edward Higginbottom.

This concert is part of the Instruments of Time and Truth Summer Concert Series 2022, and is generously supported by both John Osborn and Continuo Foundation.

Instruments of Time and Truth are Oxford’s own period instrument orchestra, presenting world-class performances of Baroque and Classical music in Oxford and around the UK.