Nicolas Clérambault was born in 1676. Son of one of the Vingt-Quatre Violons du Roi, he was organist at three major institutions: the Maison royale de Saint-Cyr, the church of Saint-Sulpice and the Jacobin convent on rue Saint-Jacques in Paris. His work is mainly divided between secular cantatas, considered the finest of his time, and numerous motets. He died in 1749.

Like most Regina cœli, this work is fairly short (120 bars). Apart from a short duet for countertenor and bass, this grand motet features a 4-voice choir (treble, countertenor, waist, bass), with 3 contrasting sections: a light movement in dialogue, a slow part with richly expressive harmony, and a fast, highly contrapuntal alleluia. Nicolas Clérambault’s Regina cœli is an ideal program complement for a choir, in a sacred French work from the very early 18th century.

The first volume in Louis Castelain’s Les Maîtres du Parnasse français series, this score reflects the re-creation work of the ensemble le Parnasse français, committed from the outset to presenting rare or unpublished works from France’s musical heritage in concert. The scores performed are edited and, where necessary, as in this case, the missing parts are recomposed by musical director Louis Castelain.