Jean-Adam Guilain
Jean-Adam Guilain Freinsberg was a German-French organist and harpsichordist who was mostly active in Paris during the first half of the eighteenth century.
Biography
Little is known about his life. He was born in Germany, possibly around 1680. For an unknown reason he moved to France some time before 1702, and almost certainly became one of Louis Marchand's pupils - Guilain's organ collection is dedicated to Marchand, by then a prominent organ teacher.He was a Catholic, though it is unknown whether he was baptised Catholic or converted later.
Guilain died some time after 1739, the year when he published a collection of harpsichord pieces.
Compositions
Although of German origin, Guilain's musical style appears to be in the pure French tradition.Harpsichord
The sole surviving copy of Guilain's only known collection of harpsichord works may be found in the collection of the British Library. The volume is entitled "PIÈCES DE CLAVECIN / D'UN GOUT NOUVEAU / PAR Mr. GUILAIN./ Gravées par De Gland Graveur du Roy./ Prix 3l./ A PARIS." and has twenty-six pieces:FanfareJe veux garderLe beau B.T.AmisTon H.C.Babé L.R.JocondeMirtilMon cousinTircis couchéMa clorisL'autre jourMamy MargotÔ GuéPierre B.Les Pèlerins : 1er AirLes Pèlerins : 2e Air Boire à son tourJe suis encorBransle de MetzOn ditAllonsLa Tétard- ''Menuet allemand''
Organ
A single collection of organ pieces was published in 1706 in two volumes, of which only the former remains extant. The full collection includes eight suites of pieces for use with the Magnificat, one suite for each church mode. Each suite contains seven short movements that were to alternate with the vocal parts of the liturgy.- Suite du premier ton :
- Suite du deuxième ton :
- Suite du troisième ton :'
- Suite du quatrième ton'' :'''