Jean Gilles was born in Tarascon in 1668 and died in Toulouse in 1705. He trained at the Aiix-en-Provence choir school which turned out many illustrious composers such as André Campra and François Estijnne. He was appointed music master at Saint-Etienne de Toulouse cathedral. His best known work is undoubtedly his requiem mass which was often performed at the Concert Spirituel and also at grand funerals, such as that of Gilles, Royer, Rameau and Louis XV.

This programme also includes a revival of Gilles’  theatrical motet Domine Deus meus, full of dramatic effects, including an impressive storm.  Nicolas Bucher will provide more musical gems on the Clicquot great organ with a hymn by Nicolas de Grigny, an exact contemporary Gilles. This concert performed by the CMBV choir school and Les Folies Françoises under Fabien Armengaud is sure to enchant audiences, as the Mercure Galant commented at the time ‘the requiem is always a delight to hear despite its age and despite all the musical gems produced since - its reputation is too well established to need any further praise…’

By the CD