LAURENT METTRAUX
Route Principale 160, CH-1791 Courtaman (Switzerland),
tel. + fax: (+41)
26/684.18.65, E-mail : laurent.mettraux@bluewin.ch
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WORKS FOR /
WITH CHOIR(S)
(catalogue from June 1st, 2007)
FOR ORDERING A SCORE - PRICE LIST
Works lasting more than 5 minutes
Works lasting less than 5 minutes
M.528 :
Vers le soleil couchant (Towards the setting sun), oratorio (1995-6) [42']
for 4 soli (SATB), children's or young girl's choir,
mixed choir (SATB) and orchestra (0-c.a.-2 basset horns-2 0-2-3-0
Perc.(2) Vl. and Vc. soli strings)
M.528 full score 148(+ 15) pages
M.528a reduction voice/piano: 91(+15) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
CD recording
Numerous texts, also
superimposed, on the subject of death, from the epic of Gilgamesh to E. Brontë,
from the Vedas to Apollinaire (in English, French, German, Italian, Latin and
Sanskrit languages). Very impressive work in its expressivity and its musical
as well as philosophical development. Multitude of climates and very appeased
ending. An order from the choir of the Fribourg University, which has first
performed this work with great success in June 1996.
M.625 :
Le Nom Caché (The Hidden Name), oratorio (2001-2) [48']
for 4 soli (SATB), mixed choir, solo cello, two pianos
and percussion (6 players)
M.625 full score 149(+ 30) pages
M.625a reduction voice/piano: 197(+26) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
CD recording
Presentation, score excerpts
and audio excerpts — Text
Ordered by the National Swiss Exposition (2002). Work
based on texts stressing the anguish, and then the appeasement of the beings
facing the mystery of a hidden God, that can’t be named. The work develops
itself while following the various human feelings : questioning, rebellion,
despair, haunting doubts, acceptation of the limits of human comprehension,
contemplative silence.
Works lasting more than 5 minutes
M.471 :
mass for 8 voices (1993) [15']
for mixed choir (8 a cappella voices - SSAATTBB)
76(+1) pages
Work yet to be
first-performed (!! please contact the
composer for first performance)
Work difficult to perform, but also suitable for a group
of 8 soloist singers. Tormented and polyphonic Kyrie, tonic Gloria, granitic
Sanctus, melismatic Benedictus and melancholic Agnus Dei. In Latin language.
M.562 : 1ère lamentation du Jeudi-Saint (1997) [10']
for mixed choir (4 voices - SATB)
11(+2) pages
Work yet to be
first-performed (!! please contact the
composer for first performance)
In Latin language. Music with rhythmical scansion near
to Gregorian music, but chordal. Large phrases and atmosphere of deep
collectedness.
M.563 :
Lucis Creator optime (1997) [9']
for children's choir (2 voices - SA)
5(+2) pages
Work yet to be
first-performed (!! please contact the
composer for first performance)
In Latin language. Very large phrases, with very pure
dissonances and bright consonances.
M.589 :
Crucifixion (1998) [18’]
for mixed choir a cappella (SATB)
28(+3) pages
Text — score excerpt (pdf)
On a text by the
composer, partly inspired by the Gospels. Alternates impressive parts, because
of their tension, and Gospel excerpts, where every shade of the text is evoked.
First performance by the Chamber Choir of the University of Fribourg during the
Festival “Greifswalder Bachwoche” on June 11th, 1999.
M.611 : La plus belle des lumières (2000) [15’]
for mixed choir (8 a cappella voices - SSAATTBB)
67(+4) pages
Text — score excerpt (pdf)
(The most beautiful
of the lights). Text by the composer after the Rig Veda. The evocative
harmonies inflate in two great successive waves, from the night, altogether
pacifying and disquieting, to the triumphal arrival of the light. First
performed by the New London Chamber Choir, conducted by James Wood, on the
occasion of the Festival of Sacred Musics of Fribourg, which commissioned the
work, on July 14th, 2000.
M.651 : Plus près de toi que tu ne l’es toi-même (2006) [13']
for vocal ensemble (little choir of 8 soloists and 8
voices choir)
41 (+ 4)p.
Presentation, score
excerpts and audio excerpts — Text
Text by the composer, after texts of different spiritual traditions. It
has been written in 2006 for the Foundation for Universal Sacred Music of New
York, commission awarded through
competition. The work alternates
tensions and relaxations, as well on the agogical as on the harmonic level.
Works lasting less than 5 minutes
M.503 :
Nur noch kurze Zeit (1994) [2']
for mixed choir (4 voices - SATB)
8 pages
Rather chromatic and difficult. Polyphony bringing
savoury harmonies. Text taken from Isaiah (XXIX 17-19), in German language.
M.596 :
Erhebt die Stimme (1998) [3’]
for mixed choir (4 voices - SATB)
3(+1) pages
Piece with crafty harmonies. Text by Ben Sirach (XLIII
29-30)
M.645
: Le Vent blesse les Branches des Cerisiers (2005) [3']
for mixed
a cappella choir (SATB)
5(+2)p.
Text — score excerpt (pdf)
the text of this
song is inspired by a few haikus by Saigyo, Japanese Zen monk of the 12th century.
The music is simple and appeased , a little melancholic. Relatively simple to
sing.
In project
:
Different
choral works
M.486 :
Mass for men’s choir and ad libitum organ (1994) [7']
for men’s choir (4 voices : TTBB) and organ (ad
libitum)
complete score : 9(+3) pages
score for the choir : 6 pages
4 parts : modal Kyrie, alternating organ and
choir, of imploring character ; playful and dynamic Gloria ; solemn and
confident Sanctus with Benedictus ; tender and nostalgic Agnus Dei, alternating
a soloist accompanied ad libitum by the organ and the choir (the soloist voice
can also be sung by all the first tenors).
M.556 :
Credo (1997) [1'10’’]
for men’s choir (4 voices : TTBB)
1 page
Modal. Alternates soft and hieratic passages.
M.616 : Messe pour chœur d’hommes a cappella (2000-1) [6']
For men’s choir (4 voices : TTBB)
8(+1) pages
4 parts : Kyrie – Gloria – Sanctus with Benedictus –
Agnus Dei. Mass especially suitable for amateur choirs. In French language.
M.641 et
644 : Alleluia I and Alleluia II
(2005) [1']
- version for mixed choir : in preparation
- version for men’s choir (4 voices : TTBB) : 1
page
Two simple Alleluias, the first one, full and serene,
for 4 voices, the second one limpid, for 2 voices.
M.646 : Puissance, Honneur, Louange et Gloire (2005) [4'/8’]
- version for mixed choir : in preparation
- version for men’s choir (4 voices : TTBB) : 3
pages
Entry Hymn of praise to the Holy Trinity. Refrain with
full and solemn harmonies and three ad libitum verses for one voice accompanied
by the chords of the other voices of the choir.
The following work
is also suitable for the Liturgy : M.596 : Erhebt die Stimme (see
above, under the rubric Works lasting less than 5
minutes).
All commissions welcome!