Baroque Christmas

Born out of patient restoration work, this programme of carols profits from the lightness and freshness of a new and inspired rereading: Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien reveal true baroque gems of instrumental and vocal polyphony.

Researching amongst traditional popular versions, François Lazarevitch went back to the sources assimilated by Charpentier, Delalande or Corrette and restored to their Yuletide works the original texts and melodies. At the same time, he has rehabilitated the early dialects and regional accents, the assorted nuances of the pastoral character from which flutes, oboes and musette emerge, the rhythmic phrasing and inventive ornamentation reminiscent of the early types of airs for dancing or drinking. These noëls, which are deeply embedded in our collective memory, take on an unparalleled relief and elegance in the virtuoso reappropriation by Les Musiciens de Saint-Julien, who bring the fruit of their wide knowledge of scholarly and traditional repertoires and performed by the the crystal-clear voices of the master choristers.

This atypical interpretation, which is nonetheless characteristic of the ensemble’s requirements, was the subject of a recording, with the Maîtrise de Radio France and Sofi Jeannin, released in October 2016 on the Alpha Classics label.

Translation: Christopher Bayton

1 young choir and 7 to 9 musicians
François Lazarevitch : flutes, musette, direction
Enea Sorini : barytone, tympanon, percussions

violins, alto, luth, orpharion, pipe organ, recorder, oboe, bassoon