François Giroust (1737–1799) was the last master of the French grand motet, a musical genre established by Louis XIV at the Chapelle royale in Versailles and popularised by the Concert Spirituel orchestra in Paris. Having reached the Parnassus of composers, fate consigned him to oblivion after the French Revolution.

Giroust was a classical composer, at ease with large choirs and instrumental ensembles, preoccupied with timbre and orchestral effects. He represented both the French school of classical music and the last link in the chain of musicians at the court of Versailles.

This volume is the first edition of Giroust’s motets, including Benedic anima mea and Dominus regnavit. Both were written for the cathedral in Orleans, where the prestigious musical career of Louis XVI’s maître de chapelle began, for a classical orchestra (orchestra of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 horns, violins 1 & 2, violas, cellos and double bass; 4 soloists and 5-part choir). These two highly colourful and diversified works are ideal for concert performance. They showcase the choir and reveal different facets of choral writing. They will be of interest to all those who are interested in pre-classical repertoire.

Jack Eby, a professor at Bishop’s University in Canada and a specialist in this music, offers a faithful rendering of the musical text, based on a comparison of the composer’s autographs and the parts. He evokes the variants resulting from revisions, leaving the choice to the performers, and discusses at length the problems of instrumental forces.