for soprano, baritone and organ
This mass is a commissioned work for the ‘‘Secteur Pastoral’’ in Étampes, where it was premiered in 2001 for the Ascension Mass; it is mainly meant for church service use (though many artists propose a convincing concert version of it), and consists of organ pieces and two-voice motets.
The antique aspect of certain passages in the score can be explained by the fact that the organ for which it was written dates back to the end of the 16th century, and its mesotonic temperament naturally led me to use such a style, not only harmonically, of course, but also melodically; at the beginning of the piece, for example, the reference to ancient masters such as Guillaume de Machault, Sweelinck Frescobaldi or the Spanish organists (though from different eras) is flagrant. However, I wrote the piece in such a way that it practically would allow complete freedom in the choice of instruments.
This mass is dedicated to Father Frédéric Gatineau, priest of the parish of Étampes, who initiated the work, as well as to the three musicians who premiered it: organist Xavier Eustache, soprano Nadia Jauneau-Cury and baritone Laurent Bajou.
composed in: 2000-01
commissioned work for Secteur Pastoral d’Étampes
premiered in: 2001, Étampes, at Notre-Dame Church, by Nadia Jauneau-Cury (soprano), Laurent Bajou (baritone) and Xavier Eustache (organ)
duration: 35’
publisher: Jobert
also in the repertoire of Laetitia Corcelle, Isabelle Fremau and Dominique Marin-Bardon (sop.), Thierry Bréhu, Emmanuel Cury, Florent Martin and Marc Scoffoni (bar.), Véronique Le Guen, Béatrice Piertot and Jean-Pierre Lecaudey (organ)
Full video : Isabelle Fremau, soprano - Florent Martin, baritone - Béatrice Piertot, organ
Entrée : Xavier Eustache playing the organ of Notre-Dame d’Étampes
Coralie Amedjkane playing the organ of Chapel Notre-Dame de Quelven (Guern, Morbihan, France)