At the time Gervais composed his "Grand Motet Miserere" he held a post as director of the Chappell Royale in the Court of Louis XIV. This was one of the most important positions in music in France at that time. In addition to operas, he was highly regarded for compositions in this representative genre of sacred music until the end of the Ancien Règime. The setting of Psalm 50 consists of a succession of individual movements (choruses, soli, and duets through quartets), which, thanks to his experience with works for the stage, the composer was able shape dramatically not only with respect to the texts of individual movements, but also with a view to the large chorus which concludes the work.
- ISMN: 9790007074319 (M007074319)
