Christian-Pierre La Marca - Cantus (2016)

The originality of this album’s programme is its focus on famous sacred pieces transcribed for the warm and lyrical voice of the cello, an instrument whose tone is certainly one of the closest to the singing voice. The words of the Magnificat, Requiem, Stabat Mater or Ave Maria - well known in the repertoire of vocal sacred music - fade here to better reveal the development of musical emotion aroused by the melody itself, and the subtlety of the accompaniments (organ, viola, theorbo, voice) in reinforcing and supporting the expressiveness of the singing.

Inspired by sacred texts, the melodies by Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi and Pergolesi reveal the strength and intensity of their expression, even without words, and reinforce the idea developed from the late eighteenth century that music, by its power of suggestion and evocation, goes beyond words to express the unspeakable, sometimes with simplicity and depth. From Taverner to Thierry Escaich, and also Allegri, Handel, Franck and Fauré, the recorded repertoire covers a period from the sixteenth to twenty-first century and includes some of the most important names in sacred music.

ABOUT CHRISTIAN-PIERRE LA MARCA
As a "cellist in ascension" (Diapason), Christian-Pierre La Marca is known for playing an extensive and challenging repertoire and is described as "a young man who already ranks among the masters of the cello" (La Croix).

Christian-Pierre began playing the cello in Aix-en-Provence before studying in Paris with Jean-Marie Gamard and Philippe Muller. He continued his education with Frans Helmerson in Cologne, Steven Isserlis in London and masterclasses with Mstislav Rostropovich, Heinrich Schiff, Anner Bylsma and Gary Hoffman.

Christian-Pierre has performed recitals across the world, and has appeared as a soloist with the Philharmonia Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Les Siècles, Orchestre de Mulhouse, Orchestre National de Bordeaux-Aquitaine, Brussels Philharmonic, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, and many more
Christian-Pierre is highly sought after in chamber music and is a founding member of the internationally renowned Trio Dali, which actively promotes contemporary music, collbarotating with composers including Peteris Vasks, Gyorgy Kurtag, Thierry Escaich, Philippe Hersant, Olivier Greif, Jean-Louis Florentz or Nicolas Bacri.

An exclusive recording artist for Sony Classical, his discography includes the complete Bach Cello Suites, unanimously praised by international press - "there is […] a sovereign sense of balance, a kind of natural classicism that makes any quarrel over style pointless. And all this at the age of 29!" (Le Figaro).

Tracklist:
1. Magnificat en mi bémol majeur, BWV 243a: "Deposuit potentes"
2. Requiem en ré mineur, Op. 48: "Pie Jesu"
3. Passion selon Saint-Matthieu, BWV 244: "Erbarme dich, mein Gott"
4. Funeral Ikos
5. Magnificat en ré majeur, BWV 243: "Et Misericordia"
6. Agnus Dei pour choeur et l'Adagio du quatuor, Op. 11: "Agnus Dei" (Arr. for Cello and Strings Quintet)
7. Stabat Mater, P. 77: "Stabat Mater dolorosa"
8. Mass, Op. 12: V. Panis Angelicus - Christian-Pierre La Marca / Philippe Jaroussky / Thierry Escaich
9. Stabat Mater, RV 621: "Eia Mater, fons amoris"
10. Ave Maria - Christian-Pierre La Marca / Thierry Escaich
11. Stabat Mater, RV 621: "Stabat Mater dolorosa"
12. Ave Verum Corpus, K. 618 - Christian-Pierre La Marca / Patricia Petibon / Thierry Escaich
13. Choral Prelude, BWV 639: "Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" - Christian-Pierre La Marca
14. Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: "De torrente in via bibet"
15. Prière, Op. 158 - Christian-Pierre La Marca / Thierry Escaich
16. Miserere mei Deus (Psaume 50) - Alexis Kossenko / Les Ambassadeurs
17. Enluminures - Christian-Pierre La Marca / Thierry Escaich / Patricia Petibon