Vierne, Poulenc, Langlais & Messiaen: French Sacred Choral Works Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge & Andrew Nethsingha

• Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937): Messe solennelle, Op. 16:
• 1 Messe solennelle, Op. 16: Kyrie eleison. Maestoso ma non troppo lento 05:00
• 2 Messe solennelle, Op. 16: Gloria in excelcis Deo. Allegro risoluto - Molto quasi doppio più lento - Tempo I 06:26
• 3 Messe solennelle, Op. 16: Sanctus. Maestoso ma non troppo lento 02:03
• 4 Messe solennelle, Op. 16: Benedictus. Poco più vivo 02:59
• 5 Messe solennelle, Op. 16: Agnus Dei. Andante 04:25
• Francis Poulenc (1899 - 1963): 4 Petites prières de Saint François d’Assise, FP 142:
• 6 4 Petites prières de Saint François d’Assise, FP 142: No. 1, Salut, dame Sainte. Modéré, mais sans lenteur 02:15
• 7 4 Petites prières de Saint François d’Assise, FP 142: No. 2, Tout puissant, très saint. Majestueux et éclatant 01:18
• 8 4 Petites prières de Saint François d’Assise, FP 142: No. 3, Seigneur, je vous en prie. Très expressif et fervent 01:21
• 9 4 Petites prières de Saint François d’Assise, FP 142: No. 4, Ô mes très chers frères. Bien calme 01:58
• Olivier Messiaen:
• 10 O sacrum convivium! 04:48
• Francis Poulenc: 4 Motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97:
• 11 4 Motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97: No. 1, Timor et tremor. Largement 02:59
• 12 4 Motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97: No. 2, Vinea mea electa. Tendrement et mélancoliquement lent 03:47
• 13 4 Motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97: No. 3, Tenebrae factae sunt. Très lent 04:04
• 14 4 Motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97: No. 4, Tristis est anima mea. Très calme - Vif et inquiet - Très calme - Tempo vif - Très calme 03:03
• Jean Langlais (1907 - 1991): Messe solennelle:
• 15 Messe solennelle: Kyrie. Andantino 04:13
• 16 Messe solennelle: Gloria. Moderato 04:37
• 17 Messe solennelle: Sanctus. Moderato 01:35
• 18 Messe solennelle: Benedictus. Lento 02:23
• 19 Messe solennelle: Agnus Dei. Moderato 04:58
• Total Runtime 01:04:12

Info for Vierne, Poulenc, Langlais & Messiaen: French Sacred Choral Works

This album with the Choir of St John's College, Cambridge under Andrew Nethsingha recording exclusively for Chandos pays homage to French sacred choral music of the early twentieth century. It features two Messes solennelles, by Louis Vierne and Jean Langlais, as well as short pieces by Francis Poulenc and Olivier Messiaen.

The two Messes solennelles in many ways emulate the Mass in F sharp minor, Op. 36 by Vierne's organ teacher, Charles-Marie Widor. Yet, Vierne and Langlais both blind from childhood, Paris Conservatoire students, and longstanding titular organists in main places of worship in Paris use a more modern, forward-looking chromatic harmonic language and colourful organ writing. The versions heard here employ one organ, rather than the two commonly available in Parisian churches.

Although it is his only published contribution to liturgical choral music, the motet O sacrum convivium! by Messiaen features two of his most characteristic musical traits: the use of chromatic harmonies within the much-favoured tonality of F sharp major, and the rhythmic augmentation of note values to liberate the music from the regular succession of beats.

As well as the Four Lenten Motets by Poulenc we hear his late four short prayers 'by St Francis of Assisi', composed for a male choir of tenors and yet showing a remarkable variety of colour, the number of parts ranging from three to six.

"It's the motets that stand out here. Particularly the Petites Prieres, where the men of the choir put their woody blend to good use." (Gramophone)

"The stirring organ roar at the start of Vierne’s Messe solonnelle bodes well and the Choir of St John’s College, with organists Edward Picton-Tubervill and Joseph Wicks under Andrew Nethsinga, give a most impressive performance of a work fist performed in 1900 with Vierne and Widor on the two organs the accuracy, tonal warmth and rhythmic attack of the St John’s Choir all contribute to a version that makes a striking impact, especially as it has been very well recorded too The recorded sound is splendid it’s the combination of strong impact and a sense of space that make the technical aspect of this recording so impressive.” (Nigel Simeone, International Record Review)

Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge
Andrew Nethsingha, direction

Andrew Nethsingha
Performing as a conductor and organist in North America, South Africa, Far East, and throughout Europe, Andrew Nethsingha has been Director of Music at St John’s College, Cambridge since 2007. His innovations at St John’s have included weekly webcasts and a termly Bach cantata series. His recordings for Chandos have been well reviewed.

Andrew Nethsingha received his early musical training as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral, where his father was organist for over a quarter of a century. He later studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won seven prizes, and at St John’s College, Cambridge. He held Organ Scholarships under Christopher Robinson, at St George’s Windsor, and George Guest, at St John’s, before becoming Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral. He was subsequently Director of Music at Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals. Other recent positions have included Artistic Director of the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival and Musical Director of the Gloucester Choral Society.

He has served as President of the Cathedral Organists’ Association. He has worked with some of the UK’s leading orchestras. Andrew’s concerts with the Philharmonia Orchestra have included many of the major choral works: Mahler’s 8th Symphony, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Britten War Requiem, Brahms Requiem, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius and The Kingdom, Walton Belshazzar’s Feast, Poulenc Gloria and Duruflé Requiem. He has also worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the London Mozart Players, Britten Sinfonia, the Aarhus Symfoniorkester and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Recent conducting engagements have included the BBC Proms, Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Tokyo Suntory Hall. He regularly runs choral courses in various countries, including France and the U.S.A.

The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge
is one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world – known and loved by millions from its broadcasts, concert tours and over 90 recordings. Founded in the 1670s, the Choir is known for its rich, warm and distinctive sound, its expressive interpretations and its ability to sing in a variety of styles. Alongside this discipline, the Choir is particularly proud of its happy, relaxed and mutually supportive atmosphere. The Choir is directed by Andrew Nethsingha following in a long line of eminent Directors of Music, recently Dr George Guest, Dr Christopher Robinson and Dr David Hill.

The Choir is known for its consistent high standards of singing each day in Chapel and brings the 'St John's Sound' to listeners around the world each week through its weekly webcasts and SJC Live, our webcast archive service. For more information or if you are interested in becoming a member of the Choir, please click to read further about Choristers, Choral Scholars and Organ Scholars.

The Choir also maintains a busy schedule of concerts and events. The Choir tours internationally several times per year, with recent destinations including the USA, the Far East and the Netherlands. Additionally, there are some special services held through the year including the Advent Carol service, Ash Wednesday Evensong and the Bach Cantata Evensongs.

Booklet for Vierne, Poulenc, Langlais & Messiaen: French Sacred Choral Works