Credits:

Berlioz, H.

Description:

The Ensemble Edes, Les Siecle's hand-picked choral ensemble, is known for its intense sound of chorus, four pianos, and percussion in Stravinsky's ballet cantata "The Marriage," but it has had its twists and turns before it reached its final form. In 1919, he started work on a version for chorus, pianola (automatic piano), harmonium, two cimbalones, and percussion, but stopped in the first half of the work when he realized the impracticality of having a live performance with a machine (pianola) and two master cimbalone players, and finally decided on the current version. In 2007, Dutch composer Theo Verbey received permission from Stravinsky's family to complete the 1919 version as intended, and the entire work has seen the light of day. Harmonia Mundi released a version completed by René Bos in 2005, but this album is special because it is performed by members of the period instrument Les Siecle and its hand-picked choral ensemble Ensemble Edes. It is noteworthy that the voices also receive formal Russian dialect instruction and are sung in a peasant style. In addition, the pianola (automatic piano) makes full use of the latest computer controls. It is important to note that the programming was done by René Boss, who completed the previous supplemental work, and is well versed in the work. The Ensemble Edes' non-vobrato singing is realistic and high voltage throughout, and the zimbalon is very effective.The Russian folk singing style is also skillfully imitated, as if we were watching an avant-garde theater performance, full of energy and impact no less than the three major ballets. Another interesting piece is Ravel's "Bolero," arranged in the same style. The rhythm is provided by the percussion instruments, and the melody is carried on by the singers and harmonium in vocalise, but the music itself is faithful to the original. The music itself is faithful to the original, and the non-vocal soloists let us enjoy the power of their voices from the nobleness to the insane climax at the end. There is no disc of "Bolero" conducted by Lotto yet, but the rhythmic and tight performance by the members of Les Siecle gives us a good idea of what to expect. King International

Tracklisting:

1.Ne vesiolaia...
2.Les Noces~Premiere Partie. Premier tableau: Chez la mariee
3.Les Noces~Premiere Partie. Deuxieme tableau: Chez le marie
4.Les Noces~Premiere Partie. Troisieme tableau: Le depart de la mariee
5.Les Noces~Deuxieme Partie. Quatrieme tableau: Le repas de noces
6.Bolero