Summer concerts 2025

Franz Liszt’s Fantaisie et fugue sur B.A.C.H. is an emblematic piece of German Romanticism, and Jean Guillou’s syncretic version is a magnificent compromise between the composer’s piano and organ versions. César Franck’s Prière, taken from 6 pieces published in 1868, impresses with its lyricism, depth and harmonic richness. The same magnificence is to be found in Maurice Duruflé’s Prélude, Adagio et Choral varié sur le Veni Creator.

The religious music of the French Grand Siècle was prodigiously rich, with a remarkable diversity of genres: motet, oratorio or mass, services attracted a large and distinguished crowd. The most famous composer of his time, Lully, triumphed above all with his tragédies lyriques, but he also left dazzling sacred scores.

Due to the death of Cardinal André Vingt-Trois (Archbishop Emeritus of Paris) on July 18 and the ceremonies organized at Notre-Dame, the “Anima Christi” concert on Tuesday July 22 is cancelled.
Thank you for your understanding.

Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral has welcomed and inspired many personalities over the ages. And among them, great female figures who have left their mark on our political and cultural history. A concert-reading featuring a fascinating gallery of portraits that will take us on a journey between eras and cultures, from the Middle Ages to the present day, from popular song to art music..

The importance of Italian music of the Seicento (17th century) in Europe is well known. The development of solo singing and a certain vocal virtuosity took place mainly through opera, but also fed into the sacred repertoire.

The importance of Italian music of the Seicento (17th century) in Europe is well known. The development of solo singing and a certain vocal virtuosity took place mainly through opera, but also fed into the sacred repertoire.

French organ music has often been inspired by the sound colors of different stop combinations. In the Classical period, pieces were called “tierce en taille”, “basse de trompette” or “dialogue pour les jeux d’anche”, while in the Romantic period they were called “flûte harmonique accompagnée par les gambes célestes”, “solo de trompette ou de clarinette du clavier de récit expressif accompagné par les fond du Positif”, etc. This program is an excellent illustration of how this works.

A powerful bond unites France and Quebec, nurtured by a shared musical heritage. In the early 20th century, attracted by Canada’s artistic dynamism, great French organists such as Louis Vierne and Marcel Dupré toured the country, laying the foundations for a fruitful collaboration between the French and the Québécois.

Marian devotion inspired sumptuous scores by Europe’s greatest composers. The antithesis of the image of Eve, Mary appears in all her guises: both mother and virgin, protector and comforter, she is sometimes luminous in her purity, sometimes weeping before her crucified son. From the great masters of the Renaissance through the Baroque period to the present day, we discover an anthology of pieces paying homage to her.

This program is devoted to 20th-century French music, whether inspired by Gregorian chant or built around a cyclical theme, a process dear to the great César Franck and his heirs: composers who were all brilliant performers and improvisers attached to the great tribunes near Notre-Dame de Paris (St-Germain-des-Prés, St-Sulpice, Ste-Clotilde and St-Etienne-du-Mont)..

Organ music has sometimes been inspired and influenced by music written for orchestra. From another perspective, the organ is also an ideal playground for transcriptions of orchestral works, and many organists have enjoyed trying their hand at this. Shin Young Lee transcribed the Polovtsian Dances from Borodin’s Prince Igor for his instrument.

One of the most important pilgrimages in the world, the route to Santiago de Compostela is as much a journey of faith as it is a journey of culture, encounters and tradition. Linked to many artistic achievements, it is notably linked to a musical repertoire that was nurtured by pilgrims seeking support for their journey and their spiritual path. The singers of Ensemble Discantus invite us to join them on a musical journey along these fascinating routes.