Motets Romantiques – Chœur de Radio France

In keeping with the fascinating rediscoveries of French music made by the Palazzetto Bru Zane, this programme of sacred music presents works by well-known composers such as Saint-Saëns and Fauré as well as lesser-known works such as the Kyrie by Clémence de Grandval and Charlotte Sohy, the Ave Maria by Léon Boëllmann and Fernand de La Tombelle, and a Cantique de Jean Racine composed by the deeply religious Mel Bonis to a different text from that chosen by Fauré, in memory of her deceased son Édouard. Instruments were added ad libitum for performances in the most prestigious religious buildings to encourage performances of the said works in other places as well. Fauré’s Tantum ergo, for example, with organ, piano or harp and double bass, could be played in church, in concert, or at home. These discoveries are what make this programme so interesting, bringing the Chœur de Radio France together with vocal and instrumental soloists of the highest calibre under the expert direction of Christophe Grapperon.