After recording Mondonville’s grand motets in 2015, György Vashegyi now proposes a fresh sample of the Royal Chapel repertoire - several grands motets by Gervais, court musician at Versailles in the 1720’s.

Since the advent of the partnership between György Vashegyi’s Orfeo Orchestra and Purcell Choir ensembles and the CMBV in 2014, numerous hitherto unpublished French works from the 17^th and 18^th centuries has been brought to light and recorded. Impressed by Gervais’ music in the recent revival of Hypermnestre, the Hungarian conductor was keen to explore this composer further, and selected six of his forty or so surviving grands motets. In the footsteps of Lalande and following the hallmark style of sacred music at Versailles in the early 18th century, Gervais set traditional psalms to music, adding a very personal touch which reflects his fondness for Italian harmonies, his mastery of counterpoint and eloquent expressiveness.