LAMBERT CHAUMONT c 1630- 23 April 1712
Born possibly in Liège (third largest city in Belgium, approximately 55-60 miles east-south-east of Brussels on the Meuse River, and home to Georges Simenon, author of Maigret) in the Région Wallonne, Chaumont was a composer and priest. He was a lay brother at the Carmelite monastery, one of nine lay brothers who had completed their novitiates at Rheims. He referred to himself as ‘Frère Lambert de St Théodore’. His music shows a decidedly French style when other musicians at Liège were looking to Italy for inspiration. (The Liège City website says that the town feels more French than Dutch.) Chaumont was nominated to be Rector of the tiny parish of St Martin at Huy, which is south west of Liège . In 1688 he was also appointed priest of the neighbouring parish of St Germain and at the same time ‘pater’ of the Carmelites at Huy. He carried out all his duties until his death in 1712.
He is known as a composer by the Pièces d’Orgue sur les Huit Tons Op 2. The pieces show him to be well acquainted with the organs of his day. Writing in the best traditions of 17th century French organists, his 8 suites of 12-15 movements follow the order of the eight church modes. The suites end with one or two dances in harpsichord style. The forms are convincing and the music is both serious and enjoyable.
The typical organ that Chaumont knew would have had a large Grand Orgue, including a 16′ Bourdon, 8′ and 4′ stops, plus Quarte de Nazard, Grosse Tierce, Nasard, Tierce, Cornet [Fourniture, Cymbale], Trompette, Clarion And Voix Humaine. The Positif would have had a Bourdon at 8′ pitch, 4′, plus Nasard, Tierce [Fourniture and Cymbale] and Cromorne. There may have been an Écho, featuring a Cornet and the Pédale an 8′ Flûte.
The Suite du Cinquième Ton has 15 movements and the registrations used on the England-Drake organ in Christ’s Chapel are as follows:
Prélude Great Plein Jeu (Open and Stopt Diapasons 8′, Principal 4′,
Fifteenth 2′, Twelfth 2 2/3, Fourniture) (both hands)
Duo Great Trumpet 8′(right hand): Swell Trumpet 8′ (left hand)
Deuxième Duo Choir Cremona 8′ (both hands)
Trio Choir Stopt Diapason 8′ and Flute 4′ (both hands)
Recit Choir Stopt Diapason 8′ and Dulciana 8″, (left hand), Swell
Trumpet 8′ (right hand)
Fugue Légère Great Sesquialtera chorus (Plein Jeu, except exchange
Fourniture for Sesquilatera) (both hands)
Fugue Légère Swell Cornet Chorus (Open and Stopt Diapasons 8′,
Principal 4′, Fifteenth 2′, Cornet) (both hands)
Cornet Choir 8′ Stopt Diapason 8′ and 4′ Flute (left hand);
Great Cornet (right hand)
Basse de Trompette Great 8′ Trumpet (left hand); Choir 8′ Stopt Diapason, 4 Flute (right hand)
Basse de Cromhorne Voix Humaine 8′ (left hand) Swell Stopt Diapason 8′ (right hand)
Dialogue Great Trumpet 8′, 4′ Clairon, Principal 4′, Cornet; Swell Cornet Chorus coupled to Choir
Cremona and Principal 4′ (both hands, each division)
Trio à 3 claviers Swell Cornet chorus (right hand), Choir Voix Humaine 8′(left hand), Pedal Principal 8′.
Echo Choir Stopt Diapason 8′, Flute 4′; Great Cornet, Swell Cornet Chorus
Plein Jeu au Positif Choir Stopt Diapason 8′, Principal 4′, Fifteenth 2′.
Allemande Great Plein Jeu (movement omitted at demonstration,)
Voluntary Theophilus Cole (died 1731) (replacement piece for Allemande)
Cole’s Voluntary is one of the pieces from the Reading manuscripts transcribed by Dr John Carnelley. It is remarkably similar to the first Fugue Legere in tone and musical idea. Whilst it is likely that there is no direct connection between the two composers, what it does show is the ubiquitous nature of musical ideas and styles. To the classic Grands Jeux registration the Great Open Diapason and Principal are added for grander and broader effect. Being in the key of G and not C, the lowest note on the Great organ, GG, is heard in the final chord. GG and AA were both silent after the 1880 rebuild and can now be enjoyed once again.
Note that although notes are supplied on the keyboard on all three divisions, that there are no pipes for the low notes on the Swell.
References: Lambert Chaumont- Preface to the music by Jean Ferrard
New Grove Dictionary of Music 1995
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