Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel and Andre Jolivet each wrote one composition for unaccompanied chorus. Olivier Messiaen produced two. His 1937 motet "O Sacrum Convivium" brings the mystifying sound of his organ works into the vocal medium, and 1948's "Cinq Rechants" has an esthetic all its own. Never before had anyone composed so radically for chorus. Andre Jolivet's 1953 "Epithalame" is similarly groundbreaking. The renowned composer and director Rupert Huber leads talented, 37-strong mixed-voice SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart in this difficult, striking material. Here are 3 pieces by Debussy (our favorite: ), 3 by Maurice Ravel (our favorite: "Ronde,") 5 by Messiaen (Niokhama palalan souki), 3 by Jolivet (Au son de sa lyre, Allegro maestoso"), and one by Chausson, "Ballata pour quatour vocal op. 29." Unlike any choral music we've ever heard-stunning! |
