Louis-Nicolas Clérambault

Louis-Nicolas Clérambault(bornParis,19 December 1676; died Paris, 26 October 1749) was aFrenchorganistandcomposer.

Clérambault (pronounce “CLAY-ram-bow” ) came from a musical family. He learned to play theviolinandharpsichordwhen he was young, and also learned theorgan,compositionandsinging.He became the organist at the church of the Grands-Augustins and then atSaint-Sulpice.He worked for Madame de Maintenon who arranged concerts forKing Louis XIV.He also had a job at the royal house of Saint-Cyr, which was a school for young girls from the poornobility.He directed the music there, played the organ and trained thechoir.

Clérambault was the first important French composer ofcantatas.They were often aboutGreekandRomanmyths.He also composed for theorgan,harpsichordandviolin.He was thought of as France’s greatest organist. Two of his sons took over jobs held by their father after his death.

References

• Tunley, David (2001),"Clérambault family",Grove Music Online,Oxford University Press,doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.05945,ISBN9781561592630,retrieved22 March2022