Louis Archimbaud
Encyclopedia
Louis Archimbaud was a French
composer. He was one of the last representatives of the Baroque
style of French organ school.
Archimbaud was born in Carpentras
and educated there in the Carpentras Cathedral school. He became an acolyte
, then a singer, and finally, in 1727, organist of the cathedral. He occupied this post until his death in 1789. Ten years before he died the church authorities made him an honorary canon
.
Neither the composer nor the music were known until the late 1990s, when Joseph Scherpereel discovered seven autograph manuscripts at the Bibliothèque Inguimbertine
of Carpentras. Archimbaud's works include a massive Livre d'orgue [de Carpentras], six masses
, two Magnificat
s and four settings of Dixit Dominus. The organ collection contains 408 pieces organized by liturgical function and mode: two volumes of preludes, one volume of elevations
, three volumes of offertories
and a compilation titled Miscellanea that includes pieces from several volumes and contains indications that at least one more autograph manuscript is still to be found. Most of the works are comparatively brief, occupying no more than a page of music; the offertories average two pages. The style combines simple, songlike melodies, and features that are typical of French Baroque organ music.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
composer. He was one of the last representatives of the Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style of French organ school.
Archimbaud was born in Carpentras
Carpentras
Carpentras is a commune in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France.It stands on the banks of the Auzon...
and educated there in the Carpentras Cathedral school. He became an acolyte
Acolyte
In many Christian denominations, an acolyte is anyone who performs ceremonial duties such as lighting altar candles. In other Christian Churches, the term is more specifically used for one who wishes to attain clergyhood.-Etymology:...
, then a singer, and finally, in 1727, organist of the cathedral. He occupied this post until his death in 1789. Ten years before he died the church authorities made him an honorary canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
.
Neither the composer nor the music were known until the late 1990s, when Joseph Scherpereel discovered seven autograph manuscripts at the Bibliothèque Inguimbertine
Bibliothéque Inguimbertine
The Bibliothèque Inguimbertine is a scholarly library located in Carpentras. It was established by Joseph-Dominique d'Inguimbert, the Bishop of Carpentras from 1735 to 1754. It has been called "the oldest of our municipal libraries" by current chief librarian Jean-François Delmas...
of Carpentras. Archimbaud's works include a massive Livre d'orgue [de Carpentras], six masses
Mass (music)
The Mass, a form of sacred musical composition, is a choral composition that sets the invariable portions of the Eucharistic liturgy to music...
, two Magnificat
Magnificat
The Magnificat — also known as the Song of Mary or the Canticle of Mary — is a canticle frequently sung liturgically in Christian church services. It is one of the eight most ancient Christian hymns and perhaps the earliest Marian hymn...
s and four settings of Dixit Dominus. The organ collection contains 408 pieces organized by liturgical function and mode: two volumes of preludes, one volume of elevations
Elevation (Liturgy)
In Christian liturgy the elevation is a ritual raising of the consecrated elements of bread and wine during the celebration of the Eucharist. The term is applied especially to that by which, in the Roman Rite of Mass, the Host and the Chalice are each shown to the people immediately after each is...
, three volumes of offertories
Offertory
The Offertory is the portion of a Eucharistic service when bread and wine are brought to the altar. The offertory exists in many liturgical Christian denominations, though the Eucharistic theology varies among celebrations conducted by these denominations....
and a compilation titled Miscellanea that includes pieces from several volumes and contains indications that at least one more autograph manuscript is still to be found. Most of the works are comparatively brief, occupying no more than a page of music; the offertories average two pages. The style combines simple, songlike melodies, and features that are typical of French Baroque organ music.