Cesar Franck’s development as a liturgical musician was frequently overshadowed by his compositions for orchestra and organ. The present recording is intended to shed light upon a neglected aspect of the production of César Franck: offertories for voice, various organ pieces, and motets for the “devotion to the holy sacrament”. Aeolus has decided upon the original ensemble, and has accordingly brought together 14 children from the Maitrîse of the Conservatory of Geneva with six tenors and six basses of the “Solistes de Lyon – Bernard Tétu” and three soloists (soprano, tenor and bass). This surround recording took place in the Fall of 2006 in Lyon, St.François de Sales, where the famous 3 manual Cavaillé-Coll organ (1880, 45 stops) was available - perfect conditions for a fascinating discovery of almost totally unknown music. Quare fremuerunt gentes (CFF 215) Offertoire for the feast of Sainte-Clotilde bass, choir of 3 voices, organ and double bass Veni creator (CFF 218) tenor, bass and organ
Quae est ista (CFF 212) Offertoire in f sharp minor CFF 96A (27.10.1861) for organ
Three motets with organ (CFF 208)
Domine Deus in simplicitate (CFF 210) Offertoire for the first sundays of the months Andantino CFF 86 (ca 1858) for organ O salutaris (CFF 207) soprano, tenor and organ Ave Maria (CFF 217) soprano, cello and organ Offertoire in b major CFF 95 (28.08.1866) for organ
Domine non secundum (CFF 213) Offertoire for the Lent O salutaris (CFF 206) bass, cello, harp and organ Offertoire in g minor CFF 92 (13.09.1859) for organ
Dextera Domini (CFF 211) Offertoire for Easter Sunday
Katia Velletaz, soprano |