Role

:

Composer

Country

:

France

Birth

:

December 25, 1711 in Narbonne, France

Death

:

October 8, 1772 in Belleville, France

Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville was a French composer and violinist who lived from 1711 to 1772. He was born in Narbonne, France, to a family of musicians. His father was a violinist and his mother was a singer, and both of his parents were members of the local cathedral choir. Mondonville showed an early talent for music and began studying the violin at a young age. Mondonville's musical education continued in Toulouse, where he studied with the composer and organist Jean-Baptiste de Lully. He also studied with the violinist Jean-Marie Leclair in Paris. In 1733, Mondonville won a position as a violinist in the orchestra of the Paris Opera. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso performer and was soon appointed as the leader of the orchestra. Mondonville's career as a composer began in the 1730s, when he began writing music for the Paris Opera. His first opera, "Isbé," was performed in 1735 and was a great success. He went on to write several more operas, including "Titon et l'Aurore" and "Daphnis et Alcimadure," which were also well-received. In addition to his operas, Mondonville also wrote a number of instrumental works, including sonatas and concertos for the violin. His music was characterized by its elegance and refinement, and he was known for his skillful use of harmony and counterpoint. One of Mondonville's most famous works is his "Grand Motet," "Dominus regnavit," which was composed in 1734. The piece is a setting of Psalm 92 and is scored for choir, soloists, and orchestra. It is notable for its use of complex harmonies and intricate counterpoint, as well as its dramatic and expressive choral writing. Mondonville's music was highly regarded during his lifetime, and he was considered one of the leading composers of his day. He was a member of the prestigious Académie Royale de Musique and was appointed as the director of the Concert Spirituel, one of the most important musical institutions in Paris. Despite his success, Mondonville's career was not without its challenges. He was known for his difficult personality and was involved in several disputes with other musicians and composers. He also struggled with financial difficulties throughout his life, and was forced to sell his music manuscripts in order to make ends meet. Mondonville's music fell out of favor in the years following his death, and he was largely forgotten for much of the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, in recent years there has been a renewed interest in his music, and his works are once again being performed and recorded. Today, Mondonville is remembered as one of the most important composers of the French Baroque era. His music is characterized by its elegance, refinement, and expressive power, and his works continue to be admired and studied by musicians and music lovers around the world.

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