Born in Andelot, Haute-Marne, at the end of 1667, Michel Pignolet joined Langres Cathedral as a choirboy at the age of 9, under the direction of Nicolas Goupillet. In 1687, the composer moved to Paris and added Montéclair to his surname. He was probably received as music master by Charles Henri de Lorraine, Prince de Vaudémont and Governor of Milan, whom he followed to Italy. At the age of 32, Montéclair was accepted as bass violinist in the orchestra’s "petit choeur" at the Académie royale de musique. Michel Corrette, in his Méthode de contrebasse, names him as the first to play this instrument in an orchestra, in 1701. Also recognised as an excellent pedagogue, he was responsible for the musical education of the great Couperin’s daughters, and authored two authoritative treatises: a violin method and a treatise on music. He died in 1737 at his home on the Île de la Cité in Paris, a boarder of the king.

A member of the Campra, Desmarest and Bernier generation, Montéclair’s writing is nonetheless linked to the following generation: concerned with his instrumental writing, he had an undeniable influence on Rameau’s orchestration. His compositions were highly successful: instrumental pieces, arias, opera-ballets, cantatas, and his biblical opera Jephté was often revived in the 18th century.

O sacrum convivium, a motet for the Blessed Sacrament in G minor, is intended for a duo of women with continuo on organ. Properate huc o populi is a Christmas motet in A major for two female voices and a bass voice, accompanied by two violins and basso continuo. It can also be performed by 3 women’s voices, with the bass voice sung in the upper octave by an alto.