Composer: César Franck
Performer: Chœur de Chambre de Namur, Gwendoline Blondeel, Pierre Derhet, Kamil Ben Hsaïn Lachiri, Edward Vanmarsenille, Éric Mathot, Samuel Namotte, Emmanuel Tondus, Caroline Weynants, Caroline de Mahieu, Philippe Riga, Maxime Melnik, Hannelore Devaere
Conductor: Thibaut Lenaerts
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Musique en Wallonie
Catalogue: MEW2022
Release: 2021
Size: 1.38 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Domine Deus in simplicate
02. Litanies de la Sainte Vierge
03. Tantum Ergo
04. Ô vous qu’elle a pris pour modèle
05. Sous l’ombre fraîche des palmiers
06. Nous marchions avant que l’aurore (from Rebecca)
07. Andantino pour orgue
08. En toi, mon Dieu, notre âme se confie
09. Salut jour vénéré
10. Aux petits enfants (No. 2 from Duos (6) pour voix égales, FWV 89)
11. Pizzicati et andante
12. Les danses de Lormont (No. 4 from Duos (6) pour voix égales, FWV 89)
13. Premier sourire de mai
14. Quae est ista
15. Quare fremuerunt gentes
16. Source ineffable de lumière
17. Panis Angelicus
18. Le garde d’honneur
19. Domine, non secundum
20. Dextera Domini
“Vox humana” or “Vox celestis”? For César Franck (1822-1890) the one is often a metaphor for the other; whether in sacred or secular vein, spirituality is inherent in all his vocal music, even the most modest of his choral works. Certain of these form the focus of attention in this first recording. They remain unpublished; were they perhaps thought to be of lesser worth for having originated in a religious or private celebration or in response to a publisher’s commission? We should remember that it was often the specific circumstances that provided Franck with the stimulus necessary for the realization of some of his masterpieces. Be that as it may, listening to these choral works offers the listener some delightful discoveries.