La Maitrise de Toulouse

[ardcarp]

I was enchanted by some singing on CotW this week. It was a Missa Brevis by Delibes for treble voices, sung by La Maitrise de Toulouse. Who....I hear you saying.

http://www.markopstad.com/-Maitrise-de-Toulouse-.html

It's a group of mixed kids attached to the conservatoire de nusique which tries to reproduce the pre-revolution maitrise or choir school.

Do listen to this. Whether you think Delibes is your cup of tea or not, it is a lovely example of the RC repertory. Whether it is done at The Drome or not I don't know, but it's the sort of thing that would be right up their street. The organist on this version was William Whiehead...known to some of us. It was on Thursday's CotW...2nd item, I think.

I hope, incidentally, that this little diversion will give us a rest from the boy/girl thing, because here we have an ensemble where it really doesn't (a) matter or (b) affect the sound. IMHO of course.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b015ypn0

[ardcarp]

It's on Regent REGCD340 and it includes Britten's Missa Brevis. Can't wait to get a copy.

[Roslynmuse]

I thought it was a very attractive piece - with echoes of both Pergolesi's Stabat Mater and Brahms' Serenade No 1 - not many pieces you can say that about!

[DracoM]

Tone very steady, disciplined, light but finely athletic and entirely musical. Wonder what they sound like in Victoria? Was Director not on R3 some time ago talking about them? Seem to recall. Aled Jones??

[decantor]

Agreed. I heard this 'live', so to speak, and found it enchanting. The Messe Breve was straightforward and effective, with movement mainly in thirds and sixths and just a little imitation, but serving its purpose admirably for both two-part chorus and duettists. The singing was that of a well-trained children's choir, not at all in the cathedral manner, and was very attractive as such.

The Director, Mark Opstad, was a guest of Sean Rafferty (In Tune) about a year ago, and the samples played then indicated that the experiment of opening up a Maitrise was well worth the effort.

[Magnificat]

[QUOTE=ardcarp;93157]I was enchanted by some singing on CotW this week. It was a Missa Brevis by Delibes for treble voices, sung by La Maitrise de Toulouse. Who....I hear you saying.

I hope, incidentally, that this little diversion will give us a rest from the boy/girl thing, because here we have an ensemble where it really doesn't (a) matter or (b) affect the sound. IMHO of course.

ardcarp

Beautiful singing certainly but the choir includes girls aged eleven to fifteen and probably boys of 14 ( it may even have fifteen year olds too if they still have a voice since the Maitrise's age range is 11 to 15 ) so it ought to be a good sound.

I liked the piece and would listen to them again.

VCC