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.

Other works for choir and orchestra

M. 672 : Choral Variations on the Christmas Carol « Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her » (2009) [15']

for choir and orchestra (2-3*-0-3* 0-3-3-0 Hp. Vle-Db)

M.672 full score 40 (+8) pages

M.672a reduction voice/piano: 34 (+4) pages

Performing material to be asked from the composer.

Presentation

Commissioned by the Gewandhaus Leipzig. First performance June 2010 with the GewandhausChor and the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig conducted by Riccardo Chailly (during the Leipzig Bachfest and the concert season of the Gewandhaus). Uninterrupted Variations, often intermingled, on two themes (the choral and a chromatic theme) treated by evolving modification and by numerous canons. The work is as well contrapuntal and lyrical, fluctuating between anguished expectation and confident hope in the divine coming. The passages for choir and orchestra, on a few verses of the text by Luther, alternate with those written for orchestra only. The score is written for the same instruments as in Stravinsky’s Chorale Variations.

A cappella pieces

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 11^th, 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 14^th, 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) pages

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

CD recording

score excerpt (pdf)

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) pages

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

Works for the Liturgy

in French

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.

in German

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!