Musical Offerings ⦁ 2025 ⦁ Volume 16 ⦁ Number 1 35 From early in its history, the French military used instruments such as the oboe. In 1665, the French “mousquetaires had three oboes and five drums to each company.”52 Jean-Baptiste Lully, who lived from 1632–1687, served as surintendant de la musique to the king, Louis XIV, for many years.53 Lully arranged an array of compositions for the French units. His arrangements contained parts written for the descant, alto, and tenor, which were all performed by the oboe, and the bass which was performed by the oboe or the bassoon.54 This group of musicians, when playing together, were called “hautboys.”55 At this time in the seventeenth century, Louis XIV was a leading influence on the surrounding nations, such as Britain, who introduced the idea of hautboys into their military.56 During the French Revolution, music in the French military consisted heavily of songs and battle hymns. In 1790, “Ça ira” was born as the anthem of the French Revolution.57 This song, originally called “Le carillon national,” was arranged for two violins to be played as a social dance; however, it was turned into a song during the French Revolution.58 The festival of Federation, which was to be located at the Champ de Mars (Field of Mars), marked the end of the first year of the Revolution. There were rumors prior to the festival that Champ de Mars might not be cleared in time for the festival. This tragic news prompted around 150,000–300,000 individuals to help with the clearing.59 In her book Singing the French Revolution, Laura Mason explained that “throughout the entire week those who worked at the Champ de Mars sang, and above all they favored ‘a new song called the Carillion national. Everyone sings at once: ça ira, ça ira, ça 52 Camus, 26. 53 Camus, 26. 54 Camus, 26. 55 Camus, 26. 56 Camus, 26. 57 Mason, 42. 58 Gray, n.p. 59 Mason, 42.
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