Jean-Charles Gandrille, Christmas Oratorio

Saturday, December 16, 2023, 6:00 PM

Fontevraud Abbey, Fontevraud-l'Abbaye (49)

A declamatory tale and 10 musical moments highlighting the Nativity and the joy of Christmas.

"My Christmas Oratorio is built around the tale "Saint Joseph seeking the three Kings" by Marie Noël, recited by a narrator. The tale is interspersed with 10 musical moments based on other literary sources, poems on the theme of the Nativity, ranging from the 16th to the 20th century. I particularly highlighted the joy of Christmas through the instrumentarium: the sounds of the accordion and various percussion instruments (timpani, marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, xylophone-like keyboard instruments, and bells) are treated in a jubilant, dance-like manner. All this accompanies the children's singing, which is also particularly joyful and dynamic. "
Jean-Charles Gandrille, composer