Delalande, Michel-Richard 12/15/1657 - 06/18/1726

Michel-Richard Delalande [de Lalande] (1657-1726) was a prolific French Baroque composer and organist who was one of the most important composers of so-called grand motets, of which he wrote almost 80. He also wrote orchestral suites known as "Simphonies pour les Soupers du Roy" "Symphonies for the King's Suppers"), or in an alternative spelling of the time, simply "Symphonies". Delalande also composed ballets as well.



Born in Paris, he was a contemporary of Jean-Baptiste Lully and François Couperin. Delalande taught music to the daughters of Louis XIV of France, and was director of the French chapel royal from 1714 until his death at Versailles in 1726.



Delalande was arguably the greatest composer of French grands motets, a type of sacred work that was more pleasing to Louis XIV because of its pomp and grandeur, written for soloists, choir and comparatively large orchestra. According to tradition, Louis XIV organized a contest between composers, giving them the same sacred text and a time to compose the musical setting. He alone was the judge. Delalande was one of four winners assigned to compose sacred music for the last quarter of the year(the other composers being Coupillet, Collasse and Minoret). Delalande's was the most important quarter of the year because of the Christmas holiday. Later he was entrusted with the full responsibility for the church music for the complete year.



Delalande left many versions of his works. His earlier versions adhere to French Baroque style, but the later revisions incorporate more Italianate melismatic lines and greater attention to polyphonic counterpoint.