Motets
Johann Sebastian Bach, Vincenzo Bertolusi, Jacobus Gallus, Giovanni Gabrieli
The absolute summit of polyphonic art, Bach’s motets exult with a joy that may be found surprising when one knows their most frequent liturgical use: at funeral ceremonies. Taking up the invitation of the Motet BWV 225, Raphaël Pichon and his musicians draw us into their jubilant interpretation, a true hymn to the dance skilfully juxtaposed with the great tradition of the German motet. The collective work undertaken by Pygmalion on both the stylistic and the textual aspects does full justice to this choral exuberance.
harmonia mundi
1 hour 18 minutes — 1 CD — September 2020
Awards
La presse en parle
‘Raphaël Pichon’s alliance with Pygmalion transports us into a vibrational harmony that resonates powerfully with the composer’s language.’ (Philippe Venturini, 2020)
The alliance between Stéphanie-Marie Degand and Violaine Cochard, and that between Raphaël Pichon and Pygmalion, transport us into a vibratory harmony that resonates loudly with the composer’s language. (Philippe Venturini, 2020)
‘Raphaël Pichon discovered these motets when he was 10 years old, as he sang them. This is the fifth recording that the conductor and his ensemble have dedicated to the composer, and it has everything: fervour, breath and precision.’ (Emilie Munera and Rodolphe Bruneau-Boulmier, 2020)
‘The choir delivers a jubilant, lively, theatrical performance that emphasises the text. Raphaël Pichon opts for a discreet continuo that allows the listener to fully appreciate the dizzying contrapuntal writing of the choral parts. The recording also benefits from magnificent sound engineering (Hugues Deschaux) and interesting commentary by Raphaël Pichon in the booklet, particularly on his close relationship with these motets.’ (Jean-Baptiste de La Taille, 2020)