Noel IX - sur les Flutes

Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772) was born in Paris, to a family originating from Italy (where their name was D'Aquino). One of his great-uncles was a professor of Hebrew at the Collège de France. Daquin was a musical child prodigy. He performed for the court of King Louis XIV at the age of six. He was for a while a pupil of Louis Marchand. At the age of 12, he became organist at the Sainte-Chapelle, and in the following year took a similar post at the church of the Petit St. Antoine.

Claude Daquin never lacked for work as an organist. In 1727 he was appointed organist at the church of St. Paul in Paris, ahead of Jean-Philippe Rameau who was also a candidate. Five years later he succeeded his teacher Louis Marchand as organist at the Église des Cordeliers. In 1739 he became organist to the king. In 1755 he was made titular organist at the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, succeeding Antoine Calvière.

By reputation a dazzling performer at the keyboard, Daquin was courted by the aristocracy and his great expertise at the organ drew large crowds to hear him. He was known for his "unfaltering precision and evenness" at both the harpsichord and organ.

Just when you thought it wasn't possible to have any more Christmas music, here are a few last minute items... ;-)

This famous Noel uses only the flute stops. In order to take advantage of the beautiful "Flúte allemande 8′ " on the Positif, I've used that division as the "Grand Orgue".

For the quick section, the 2' Quarte de nazard comes on, and the GO is used with the Positif as the echo. The Tremblant Doux is on throughout.

I think the "danger" with this piece is that it is quite long, and has very few registration changes. I tried to subtly vary tempi, and add as many types of ornaments that I could think of, but, it is a lot of mostly 8' flute...

I've heard other performances that make quite a few registration chages, but I don't think that this is what was intended.

Still, it may seem a little dull... ;-)