FAURÉ

Requiem, Cantique de Jean Racine

1. Requiem Op. 48 - I. Introït et Kyrie

2. Requiem Op. 48 - II. Offertoire

3. Requiem Op. 48 - III. Sanctus

4. Requiem Op. 48 - IV. Pie Jesu

5. Requiem Op. 48 - V. Agnus Dei

6. Requiem Op. 48 - VI. Libera me

7. Requiem Op. 48 - VII. In Paradisum

8. Requiem Op. 48 - Cantique de Jean Racine Op. 11

9. Requiem Op. 48 - Elégie for cello and orchestra in C minor Op. 24

10. Requiem Op. 48 - Pavane for orchestra and mixed choir, Op. 50

11. Requiem Op. 48 - Super flumina Babylonis, for mixed choir and orchestra

Philippe Jaroussky,

Matthias Goerne

Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris / Paavo Jarvi

Paavo Järvi assumed his role as Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris at the beginning of the 2010-11 season and this his second Virgin Classics recording with the orchestra, is based on concerts that took place in Paris in early 2011. Like its predecessor, a programme of Bizet released in Autumn 2010 (admired by the UK’s Observer for the “perfect athleticism and agility - provided in abundance by the Orchestre de Paris under its new conductor, Paavo Järvi), it is entirely devoted to music by one French composer - here Gabriel Fauré. His serene, consoling Requiem is the main work on the CD, which also includes three other much-loved pieces and one little-known item.

The Requiem features two vocal soloists, usually a soprano and a baritone. Here, however, a countertenor – exclusive Virgin Classics artist Philippe Jaroussky – brings his ethereal timbre and sensitive phrasing to the poised Pie Jesu. His baritone colleague is the warm-toned German Matthias Goerne, acknowledged as on of today’s finest vocal recitalists. The Chœur de l’Orchestre de Paris also perform in three other works on the CD, the exquisite Pavane, with its flowing melody and mock-Rococo verses, and two early works to religious texts, the touching Cantique de Jean Racine and Super Flumina Babylonis (By the Rivers of Babylon).

Completing the programme is a purely instrumental work, the reflective, but impassioned Elégie for cello and orchestra, in which the soloist is the Orchestre de Paris’ Principal Cellist, Eric Picard.

Virgin Classics 0709212