Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers

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Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers (1632-1714) was a French musician, who was born, lived and died in Paris.

After sudying with Chambonnières and Du Mont he became a most famous organist, titular in Saint-Sulpice church from the beginning of the 1650s till his death. He got married in 1668. He was chosen on June 19, 1678 as one of the four organists in charge of the King's Chapel Royal - alongside with Nicolas Lebègue, Jacques Thomelin and Jean Buterne. In 1681, he became music master to the queen, in replacement of Henri Du Mont. He got another charge in Maison Royale de Saint-Louis in Saint-Cyr ; that was a religious institution for young noble ladies ; he taught and played harpsichord during private (theater)? performances. In 1708, he left his charge in the Chapel Royal, which was given to Louis Marchand. From 1710, he was helped in Saint-Cyr by Louis-Nicolas Clérambault.

He composed many religious vocal works and published three organ books (1665, 1667, 1675) containing more than 200 pieces : organ suites il all ancient (ecclesiastical) modes, a mass, hymns, settings of Deo Gratias and Te Deum. These books are the first one to be published in France since Titelouze's. With his colleague and friend Lebègue, he embodies the concertant organ style which will be that of François Couperin and Nicolas de Grigny.

Many theoretical treatises are preserved; they are useful sources for knowledge of both musical theory and practice of his days:

L'Art d'Accompagner sur la Basse Continue : The art of accompanying with basso continuo
Méthode facile pour apprendre à chanter : An easy method for learning to sing
Traité de la Composition : treatise of composition
Dissertation sur le chant grégorien : About Gregorian song
Méthode certaine pour apprendre le plain-chant : True method to learn plain singing
Observations sur le toucher et jeu de l'Orgue : Remarks about touching and playing the organ

some of them are given as a preface to his scores.