Over time, a composer's reputation typically shifts. Later generations tend to appreciate the unknown and neglect the famous. Cherubini, whom Beethoven considered "the greatest dramatic composer of his time," was celebrated by subsequent generations. Although highly regarded by Schumann, Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Berlioz, his compositions faded from public consciousness toward the end of the 19th century. His reputation as an author and teacher of counterpoint, however, remained undisputed.
Luigi Carlo Zenobio Salvatore Maria Cherubini was born in Florence in 1760 and settled in Paris, where he remained until his death in 1842. As an outstanding composer and music educator, he significantly shaped French musical life. In 1789, Cherubini founded an opera company under the patronage of the Count of Provence. Despite initial success, the company dissolved due to political unrest.
After a creative hiatus during which he devoted himself to botany and painting, Cherubini recuperated in 1808 at the country estate of the Princess of Chimay. A commission for the Feast of St. Cecilia rekindled his passion for composition. His sacred works rescued him from obscurity. He successfully composed five masses and other church pieces. In 1814, he was appointed Superintendent of Music to the King. His Requiem in memory of Louis XVI enjoyed great popularity and was admired by prominent composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, and Brahms.
Cherubini's Requiem in C minor was performed in the crypt of St. Denis in 1817. At his funeral, one of his pupils, Boieldieu, performed the work. Cherubini's musical expression was valued for its simplicity and poignancy. Despite its lesser fame compared to his other compositions, his Requiem deserves greater attention. Beethoven's designation as "Europe's leading dramatic composer" could be attributed to the impressive work Marche funèbre.