"Escaich: Le dernier évangile" is a profound and captivating choral album released by the renowned Maitrise Notre-Dame De Paris in 2002. This album is a stunning showcase of the sacred vocal genre, featuring the intricate and powerful compositions of Thierry Escaich. The centerpiece of the album is "Le dernier évangile," a monumental work for double mixed choir, orchestra, and organ, divided into a prologue and five parts. This piece, commissioned by the Cathedral of Saint-Malo, is a testament to Escaich's mastery of blending traditional liturgical elements with contemporary composition techniques.
The album opens with the stirring "Acclamation," setting the tone for the subsequent "Hymne à la Genèse," "Hymne à la lumière," "Hymne d'imploration," "Hymne baptismale," and "Hymne de gloire." Each section of "Le dernier évangile" is a journey through different aspects of spiritual devotion and musical expression. The Maitrise Notre-Dame De Paris, under the direction of John Nelson, delivers a performance of remarkable precision and emotional depth, accompanied by the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris and the virtuoso organ playing of Olivier Latry.
In addition to the main work, the album includes "Trois danses improvisées," featuring dances based on themes from J.S. Bach's "St. John Passion" and the Gregorian chant "Stabat Mater." These pieces add a dynamic and improvisational contrast to the more structured and solemn choral works. The album concludes with a "Poème symphonique improvisé" based on an excerpt from the Apocalypse of Saint John, offering a dramatic and reflective finale.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 7 minutes, "Escaich: Le dernier évangile" is a rich and immersive listening experience that highlights the exceptional talent of the Maitrise Notre-Dame De Paris and the visionary compositions of Thierry Escaich. This album is a must for enthusiasts of choral music and those seeking to explore the depths of sacred vocal performances.
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