Five choral songs. Par SCHONHERR CHRISTOPH. Since his earliest childhood, Christoph Schönherr has been fascinated by all things nautical. His cycle Von Schiffen, Meer und Wind (Of Ships, Sea and Wind) brings together verses by different poets that explore the sea in its various guises. The work's selected poems describe the vast ocean that can fill us with a deep sense of tranquility, but can also bring mortal danger with its storms and destructive waves. Boats, and especially sailing ships, are often associated with freedom, a sense of weightlessness, and security. But if we are caught in a storm at sea, we suddenly find ourselves at the mercy of nature. We are made painfully aware of our own insignificance in the greater scheme of things.According to the composer and passionate sailor: ?In the five choral songs I attempt to characterize the atmosphere of the texts and the emotions they contain. My experiences at sea, for example in storms or when simply contemplating the motionless water, guided me in my search for a suitable means of musical expression.? / Date parution : 2023-06-01/ Répertoire / SSAA

Par MCCARTHY JAMES. The words of Peaceful was the Night are taken from John Milton?s ode On the Morning of Christ?s Nativity, written in 1629. Milton describes the universe halting in utter stillness at the moment of Christ?s appearing on the earth. (As the poet wrote: ?His reign of peace upon the Earth began. ?) In James McCarthy?s carol, the voices play a dual role, as narrator, and by evoking the atmosphere of a singular moment of frozen time. Although commissioned by Sonoro for performance during the Christmas period, this singable, lyrical setting would fit well into a programme of music suitable for any time of the year. / Date parution : 1905-07-10/ Feuillet / SSAA a Cappella

It is particularly in his choral music that Peteris Vasks reveals his strong attachment to his Latvian home country. Nature, customs and traditions and the idea of freedom are the central themes of the texts he sets to music, while carefully using modern techniques of choral singing as well. Alternating with traditional, even archaic singing, the music creates a multi-faceted, immediately effective sound image in the listener's mind.The poem 'Ziles zina' by the contemporary Latvian poet Uldis Berzins (*1944) centres on the themes of man, nature and transience in aphoristic brevity.Vasks wrote a piece of music on this poem which contains downright rewarding tasks for the choir and opens up to the listener a fascinating world of sound. / Choeur De Femmes (SSAA) A Cappella