Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Netherlands

Birth

:

ca. 1665

Death

:

before 1733

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

Gaspard Corrette was a French classical music composer who lived during the Baroque period. He was born in 1671 in Rouen, France, into a family of musicians. His father, Michel Corrette, was a renowned organist and composer, and his mother, Marie Du Mont, was a singer. Gaspard was the second of three sons, all of whom became musicians. Gaspard began his musical education at a young age, studying with his father and other local musicians. He showed great talent and quickly became proficient on the organ, harpsichord, and other keyboard instruments. In 1697, he was appointed as the organist at the Church of Saint-Maclou in Rouen, a position he held for the rest of his life. As a composer, Gaspard Corrette was known for his keyboard music, particularly his organ works. He wrote a number of suites, preludes, fugues, and other pieces for the instrument, many of which were published during his lifetime. His music was characterized by its virtuosity, complexity, and expressive power, and it was highly regarded by his contemporaries. One of Corrette's most famous works is his "Organ Book," a collection of pieces for the organ that he published in 1710. The book contains 25 pieces, including preludes, fugues, and toccatas, and it is considered one of the most important collections of French organ music from the Baroque period. The pieces in the book are notable for their technical difficulty and their use of complex counterpoint and harmony. In addition to his organ music, Corrette also wrote vocal music, including cantatas and motets. His vocal works were often performed at the Church of Saint-Maclou, where he was the organist. He also wrote music for the theater, including several operas and ballets. Corrette was a prolific composer, and he continued to write music throughout his life. He died in 1733 at the age of 62, leaving behind a legacy of keyboard music that continues to be admired and studied by musicians today.

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