Te Mesia

Two rival yet similar works, an illustration of a “Quarrel of the Te Deums”, a true war of mottled violin scores, a frivolous echo of Louis XV‘s final victories. It is also the rediscovery of two of the most talented composers amongst Rameau’s contemporaries, François Colin de Blamont and Esprit Joseph Antoine Blanchard. Daniel Cuiller appropriates this music with the voracity which had led him to revive a previous Te Deum, on that occasion by Henri Madin, and which was covered with praise. Add to this the brilliant singers of the Marguerite Louise choir which is directed by Gaétan Jarry and the virtuoso musicians of Stradivaria, Daniel replied with enthusiasm to this “commission” for the Royal Chapel of Versailles.

This recording of the Poème Harmonique revitalizes Charpentier's and Lully's Te deum, two magnificent pieces of sacred music celebrating the Sun King's victory and recovery. Lully, who was of Italian origin, found the essence and style of French art, while Charpentier gave the emotion and composition methods he had learned from the Italians to the music of his country. This is the story of two musicians, two countries, two aesthetics, and two fundamental stakes. Lully became a lauded composer, outshining Charpentier and relegating him to an undeserved subpar position.