René Mesangeau
Encyclopedia
René Mésangeau (fl.
1567 – 1638) was a French composer and lutenist. He is considered to be one of the finest lutenists of the 17th century.
In 1619, he settled in France and married the daughter of the spinet maker Jean Jacquet. In 1621, he was appointed musicien ordinaire du Roi at the French court by Louis XIII
. It is known that during his life, he visited Germany and England. He died around January 1638 in Paris.
His output consists of about fifty works, including his own works and transcriptions, which were influential in the development of lute music after 1630. He is an author of the new d minor lute tuning that was important for the style brisé
. His achievements brought him recognition by Pierre Ballard (1631 and 1638) and by Marin Mersenne
in his Harmonie Universelle (1636).http://www.maraisproject.com.au/concerts/A_Lifes_Work_Program_6.final.pdf
His pupil, Ennemond Gaultier
, composed the first known tombeau
(Le tombeau de Mézangeau, 1638) for him.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1567 – 1638) was a French composer and lutenist. He is considered to be one of the finest lutenists of the 17th century.
In 1619, he settled in France and married the daughter of the spinet maker Jean Jacquet. In 1621, he was appointed musicien ordinaire du Roi at the French court by Louis XIII
Louis XIII of France
Louis XIII was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1610 to 1643.Louis was only eight years old when he succeeded his father. His mother, Marie de Medici, acted as regent during Louis' minority...
. It is known that during his life, he visited Germany and England. He died around January 1638 in Paris.
His output consists of about fifty works, including his own works and transcriptions, which were influential in the development of lute music after 1630. He is an author of the new d minor lute tuning that was important for the style brisé
Style brisé
Style brisé is a term for broken, arpeggiated texture in instrumental music. It usually refers to French Baroque music for lute, keyboard instruments or the viol. French Baroque musicians referred to this type of texture as style luthé , since it originated in lute music...
. His achievements brought him recognition by Pierre Ballard (1631 and 1638) and by Marin Mersenne
Marin Mersenne
Marin Mersenne, Marin Mersennus or le Père Mersenne was a French theologian, philosopher, mathematician and music theorist, often referred to as the "father of acoustics"...
in his Harmonie Universelle (1636).http://www.maraisproject.com.au/concerts/A_Lifes_Work_Program_6.final.pdf
His pupil, Ennemond Gaultier
Ennemond Gaultier
Ennemond Gaultier was a French lutenist and composer. He was one of the masters of the 17th century French lute school....
, composed the first known tombeau
Tombeau
A tombeau is a musical composition commemorating the death of a notable individual. The term derives from the French word for "tomb" or "tombstone". The vast majority of tombeaux date from the 17th century and were composed for lute or other plucked string instruments...
(Le tombeau de Mézangeau, 1638) for him.