This CD is the latest
in the wonderful Editions Hortus series
documenting the flourishing music-making
scene at Notre Dame. The choir sings
here as you have never heard a French
choir sing. Such a quality was unthinkable
in the time of Cochereau - and there
are plenty of recordings to prove
the point. Following on from the recording
of the Missa Deo Gratias by
organist titulaire Jean Pierre Leguay,
the present CD features a new mass
for mixed choir and two organs. This
is entirely based on the Salve
Regina theme. The composer is
the titulaire of the orgue de chœur,
Yves Castagnet. The other pieces are
the well-known Litanies à
la Vierge Noire by Poulenc and
an expanded, composed (!) commentary
on the Salve Regina by Olivier
Latry, Leguay’s colleague as organist
titulaire of the Grand Orgue, and
one of the most famous of all concert
organists.
It’s Castagnet’s
mass that makes this release really
special. It employs a relatively tonal,
but highly evocative harmonic language,
somewhat post-Duruflé - as
is the use of the plainchant in the
context of the whole - and occasionally
post-Alain. The Gloria almost quotes
the third of the Trois Dances
but is never derivative. The Sanctus
with its organ toccata accompaniment
is highly impressive, and the immense
colour and enormous presence of the
Notre Dame Grand Orgue is put to good
use in general. This atmospheric and
passionate work deserves international
renown. The choir of Westminster Cathedral,
for instance, should surely adopt
it.
Latry’s composition
will remind the listener immediately
of his concert improvisations. The
voice - tenor, Charles Barbier - is
in fact used in alternatim,
singing each verse of the chant between
Latry’s versets. After 17 minutes
a second, un-named (female) soloist
sings the "O Clemens, O Pia,
O Dulcis Virgo Maria". This is
the only moment at which both organ
and voice are heard together. Latry’s
personal connection with the Gregorian
chant he learned as a school boy in
Boulogne-sur-Mer is tangible.
This is essential
listening; beautifully presented as
usual and featuring thrilling performances.
Castagnet’s mass setting is really
remarkable. Don’t miss this.
Chris Bragg
for details
Choeurs de la Maîtrise de Notre-Dame
de Paris/Lionel Sow; Sylvain Dieudonné
(Gregorian chant) 
