Classical music: The EVL celebrates Fauré and Bruckner

Fauré’s “Requiem” is so much a part of the DNA ofLausanne Vocal Ensemble that the centenary year of the composer’s death could only resonate in tune with this masterpiece. This “lullaby of death”, in the words of Fauré, is sung by the EVL during the last OCL concert on June 19 and 20 under the direction of Renaud Capuçon, but will reappear next season.

The current artistic director of the EVL, Pierre-Fabien Roubaty, himself directed this marvelous “Requiem” in January at the Folles Journes de Nantes: “I was afraid to do it, because the work is so associated to Michel Corboz. And the last time he conducted it was in Nantes and I was on the organ. I felt his presence very strongly, the connection with the past and I have the impression of having taken the plunge. The tribute to Fauré will culminate on November 4, 100 years to the day after his death, with the interpretation of the “Requiem” by the Geneva Chamber Orchestra plunged in darkness (“In The Dark”, BFM).

Two other composers will be celebrated next season by the EVL. Frank Martin, whose 50th anniversary is being celebrated, appears at the opening on September 20 in Renens, on September 21 in Geneva, with the “Herbal wine”, intense evocation of the myth of Tristan and Isolde, under the direction of Daniel Reuss. Her “Requiem” – “the most beautiful thing that has been written since Gabriel Fauré”, according to Harry Halbreich – will resonate on November 21 in Geneva, as part of the Frank Martin Odyssey led by Thierry Fischer.

Singing Bruckner in Linz

The EVL is also very honored to participate in the festivities of the bicentenary ofAnton Brucknerduly celebrated at Linz in October, but also in Lausanne and Geneva. “We will perform his major motets and the imposing “Messe n°2” for woodwind and brass,” indicates Pierre-Fabien Roubaty.

The rest of the season deploys the range of possibilities of the EVL, both in a popular register (“Christmas Landscapes” on French-speaking tour) than in suave contemporary Nordic music (Ola Gjeilo and Arvo Pärt in Lausanne), the early music of Vivaldi and Purcell (“Gloria”) or the resumption of the very beautiful “Mass in E flat” by Schubert for the 750th anniversary of Lausanne Cathedral in June 2025.

Matthew Chenal has been a journalist in the cultural section since 1996. He particularly chronicles the abundant news of classical music in the canton of Vaud and French-speaking Switzerland.More informations

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