Rondeau (from Suite de Symphonies No. 1) (Theme to "Masterpiece Theatre")
Jean-Joseph Mouret (April 11, 1682, Avignon - December 22, 1738, Charenton-… Read Full Bio ↴Jean-Joseph Mouret (April 11, 1682, Avignon - December 22, 1738, Charenton-le-Pont) was a French composer whose dramatic works made him one of the leading exponents of Baroque music in his country. Even though most of his works are no longer performed, Mouret's name survives today thanks to the popularity of the Fanfare-Rondeau from his first Suite de Symphonies, which has been adopted as the signature tune of the PBS program Masterpiece Theatre.
Mouret's father was a prosperous silk merchant of Avignon, an amateur violinist who recognized his son's precocious musical abilities and provided him with a fine education. The elder Mouret generously supported his son's decision to pursue a musical career. As a youth, Mouret proved himself a talented singer while also earning success for his compositions.
Around the age of twenty-five, Mouret settled in Paris. News of his arrival did not take long to spread and he was introduced to Anne, Duchess of Maine, whose salon at Sceaux was a center of courtly society in the declining years of Louis XIV. His genial character strongly assisted him in securing the patronage of the Duchess, who made him her Surintendant de la musique at Sceaux about 1708. At Sceaux he produced operas and was in charge of the sixteen bi-weekly Grandes Nuits in the season of 1714–1715, for which he produced intermèdes and allegorical cantatas in the court masque tradition, and other music, in the company of the most favoured musicians, for the most select audience in France. Mouret thus launched his adult career under highly favorable auspices.
At court Mouret maintained a post as singer, and directed the grand divertissements offered by the Regent, the duc d'Orléans at his château of Villers-Cotterêts on the occasion of Louis XV's coming-of-age, 1722.
In Paris he collaborated with the Académie Royale de Musique. He directed the orchestra of the Paris Opéra (1714–18), composed music and directed the Nouveau Théâtre Italien du Palais-Royal (1717–37)— for which he composed divertissements that accompanied, for example, the tender comedies of Marivaux, and which, printed, fill six volumes. Concurrently, he was director of the concert series established by the orchestra of the Opéra, the Concerts Spirituel (1728–34), positions which provided a public outlet for his own music and which permitted him to live in affluence. Mouret married and had one daughter. However, his later years were overshadowed by financial and social disappointments. Sinking into poverty, Mouret died in a charitable asylum run by the Church in Charenton-le-Pont.
Mouret's father was a prosperous silk merchant of Avignon, an amateur violinist who recognized his son's precocious musical abilities and provided him with a fine education. The elder Mouret generously supported his son's decision to pursue a musical career. As a youth, Mouret proved himself a talented singer while also earning success for his compositions.
Around the age of twenty-five, Mouret settled in Paris. News of his arrival did not take long to spread and he was introduced to Anne, Duchess of Maine, whose salon at Sceaux was a center of courtly society in the declining years of Louis XIV. His genial character strongly assisted him in securing the patronage of the Duchess, who made him her Surintendant de la musique at Sceaux about 1708. At Sceaux he produced operas and was in charge of the sixteen bi-weekly Grandes Nuits in the season of 1714–1715, for which he produced intermèdes and allegorical cantatas in the court masque tradition, and other music, in the company of the most favoured musicians, for the most select audience in France. Mouret thus launched his adult career under highly favorable auspices.
At court Mouret maintained a post as singer, and directed the grand divertissements offered by the Regent, the duc d'Orléans at his château of Villers-Cotterêts on the occasion of Louis XV's coming-of-age, 1722.
In Paris he collaborated with the Académie Royale de Musique. He directed the orchestra of the Paris Opéra (1714–18), composed music and directed the Nouveau Théâtre Italien du Palais-Royal (1717–37)— for which he composed divertissements that accompanied, for example, the tender comedies of Marivaux, and which, printed, fill six volumes. Concurrently, he was director of the concert series established by the orchestra of the Opéra, the Concerts Spirituel (1728–34), positions which provided a public outlet for his own music and which permitted him to live in affluence. Mouret married and had one daughter. However, his later years were overshadowed by financial and social disappointments. Sinking into poverty, Mouret died in a charitable asylum run by the Church in Charenton-le-Pont.
Rondeau
Jean-Joseph Mouret Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Rondeau' by these artists:
Nino Ferrer Au fil de l'eau les jours s'en vont Un jour, un…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Jean-Joseph Mouret:
Fanfare Qu’on nous casse les jambes Pour avoir envahi le boulevard S…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@northerntrumpeter
There are quite a few attempts at this piece on YOUTUBE. They all fall short one way or another, mainly with tuning issues, plus tone and tempo. This version seems flawless. An absolute joy to hear.
@unclejoeoakland
A tad fast for my taste but bluntly you may be right. Also check the Wynton Marsalis cover.
@chaoshuffer
It particularly puts that DSO brass quintet to shame. What a shoddy, overwrought performance that is.
@lindaross783
Masterpiece Theatre theme as well. Lovely.
@finaleuser118
I’ve been watching this video for the last 10 years and still think it’s the best rendition of the piece. Love the trills on the organ.
@e.conboy4286
I can’t believe there will be a superior performance!
@mkultra70
Giggity!!!
@ms.annthrope415
When I graduated from law school, we had this playing as we marched in to a church to receive our hoods as juris doctors. 4 years of such hard work and working a full time job. Never forget it.
@lindaross783
Well done
@OriginalMindTrick
What a delightful life-affirming tune this is. It's the sounds of someone who has been depressed a long time and now finally the heart sings out joy again.