"The singing moves away from all aesthetic mannerism to achieve a kind of poignant, disembodied purity."

Les Métaboles and Aedes Shine at the Rencontres musicales de Vézelay

“[…] On Saturday evening, Les Métaboles presented a program structured as a contemplative progression under the direction of their conductor, Léo Warynski. Following Poulenc’s Litanies à la Vierge noire, during which the women’s sections distinguished themselves through their ability to convey a full spectrum of lamentations—from tearful resignation to desperate incomprehension—the choir evolved its vocal delivery, seeking a kind of primal song in Arvo Pärt’s Te Deum. The singing moves away from any aesthetic mannerism to achieve a kind of poignant, disembodied purity. For its part, the Metz Grand Est National Orchestra plays its schizophrenic role to perfection in both works, oscillating between static soundscapes and haunting rhythmic motifs, with stormy timpani in Poulenc’s piece.

Following the breathing passages in Julia Wolfe’s Guard My Tongue, in which Les Métaboles a cappella demonstrate remarkable cohesion, the ensemble is joined by the Africa Lyric Choir for Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. The explosive energy of the first movement shatters the pure spiritual elevation achieved up to that point, infusing it with joy – like a sense of liberation. The precision of the orchestra’s percussion and brass attacks helps maintain a semblance of structure in this passage, which pushes the nave’s acoustic limits. After a soaring second movement featuring a magnificent solo by countertenor Julien Freymuth – who skillfully exploits the basilica’s resonances – the fusion of the two choirs elevates the irresistible hymnal formula of the finale."

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