Koechlin – “Les Chants de Nectaire” Op. 200

Single CD/Standard Jewel Case 
Release Date: 27th November 2020
Physical & Digital Distribution: NAXOS

Tracklisting

 I Prière dans le mode dorien (Prayer in the Dorien mode) ; II Réponse de la divinité tutélaire (Response of the guardian deity); III Prière d’un malade (Prayer of someone sick) ; IV Cortège de jeunes filles (Cortege of young girls) ; V Danse au soleil du matin dans la campagne (Country dance in the morning sun) : VI Cortège d’éphèbes (Procession of Ephebos) ; VII Prière des enfants (Child’s prayer) ; VIII Danses pour saluer le retour du printemps (Dances to welcome the return of spring); IX Epithalame (Wedding song) ; X Prière de l’épouse dont le mari est parti à la guerre (Prayer of the wife whose husband has left for war) ; XI Danses pour célébrer le retour du Père (Dances to celebrate Father’s return); XII Prière funéraire (Funeral prayer) ; XIII Danses pour célébrer d’heureuses fiançailles (Dances to celebrate a joyful engagement) ; XIV Prière des orphelins (Orphan’s prayer) ; XV Incantation pour guérir un cerveau malade (Incantation to cure a sick brain) ; XVI Tityre remercie les Dieux (Tityre thanks the Gods) ; XVII Hymne du philosophe devant la nuit d’étoiles (Philosopher’s hymn on a starry night) ; XVIII Danses d’adolescents devant la maison heureuse (Adolescent’s dance before the house of joy) ; XIX Le maître enseigne à ses élèves la vie harmonieuse des Sages antiques (The teacher shows pupils the harmonious life of ancient Sages) ; XX Ronde joyeuse dans les prés fleuris (Joyful round dance in the flowering meadow) ; XXI Prière aux Sages de la forêt (Prayer of the Sages of the forest) ; XXII Prière aux Dieux protecteurs du foyer (Prayer to the Gods who protect the home) ; XXIII Prière de l’aieul (Elder’s prayer) ; XXIV Autre prière de l’aïeul (Another elder’s prayer); XXV Danse (Dance) ; XXVI Cortège (Procession) ; XXVII Incantation pour écarter les mauvais esprits (Incantation to ward off evil spirits) ; XXVIII Danse des Faunes familiers (Dance of the familiar Faunes); XXIX Cortège (Procession) ; XXX Prière pour guérir un malade (Prayer to cure the sick) ; XXXI Autre prière pour la guérison (Another prayer for a cure); XXXII Cortège d’actions de grâc (Thanksgiving procession) 

Concept Overview

The Chants de Nectaire were inspired by the wise old flute player Nectaire, who appears in “La Révolte des Anges” by Anatole France (1914). La Révolte des Anges is often considered the author's most profound novel. It tells the story of the angels who rebelled against God and came down to earth, descending upon Paris disguised as people, to prepare a coup d’état which would re-establish Satan (aka the Angel of Light, the symbol of liberating knowledge…) on the throne of heaven. The tribulations of the angels in the Paris of the Third Republic are a fierce social criticism and mock the Catholic Church. Eventually, Lucifer will give up dethroning God, for had he continued, Lucifer would become God, and lose his influence over liberated thought. 

“Nectaire raised the flute to his lips. Wielded by dextrous fingers and filled with the breath of creation, the rustic pipe resonated like a silver flute. The music told of Love, Fear, vain Quarrels, triumphant Laughter, the serene clarity of Intelligence and the arrows that pierce the monsters of Ignorance and Hatred. The music also spoke of Joy and Pain bending their twin heads over the Earth and of the desire that creates worlds….” Translated from La Révolte des Anges by Anatole France (1914) 

The ninety-six songs, all gems in their own right, are grouped in three books (Op. 198-200) and were composed over four months in 1944. Despite the speed of creation, the quality is incredible, with great attention to detail. Each piece is its own unique sound world, imaginative, sensitive, beautiful and, above all, sincere. 

This third (and final) set is entitled ″ Prières, cortèges et danses pour les Dieux familiers″ - Prayers, processions and dances for the familiar Gods.r the familiar Gods. 

Charles Koechlin (1867 – 1950) studied at the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, but tuberculosis prevented him from following the military career that was expected of him. Fortunately, he turned to music, studying composition with Fauré and Massenet at the Paris Conservatoire. He worked incredibly quickly when inspired, and his output of 219 opus numbers covers all genres: from the vast orchestral work, ‘Le Livre de la Jungle’, inspired by Kipling; to choral, chamber and solo works. He loved the flute and seemed to understand the subtleties as if he played himself. 

According to Koechlin, his personality was dominated by characteristics from his Alsatian roots; there is an energy, naivety and an absolute sincerity at the heart of all his music. I see him as a fascinating and eccentric genius with a twinkle in his eye: inquisitive, fiercely intelligent, and obsessive. He was passionate about the sciences, astronomy, literature, film, and film stars, in particular Lilian Harvey and Ginger Rogers, all of which inspired his musical creativity. Recognition of his genius has grown since his death and as an orchestral ‘magician’, he is now seen as on a par with Debussy and Ravel. 

Artist Biography

Nicola Woodward was awarded exhibition scholarships on both flute and piano at the Royal College of Music. She also won the Eve Kisch flute prize and several prizes for all-round musicianship. She has performed at the Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Rooms, given live broadcasts on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3, worked with the LPO and Bournemouth Orchestras and toured Latin America for the British Council. As part of a flute and marimba duo, she toured extensively with ‘Live Music Now!’ and is now involved with the scheme as a mentor. She frequently performed at Highgrove and Buckingham Palace for HRH the Prince of Wales and has made several recordings of rare and folk-influenced works. Nicola has a deep love of folk music from many cultures, which she regularly performs. She is co-founder of the Rockhampton Festival. 

www.nicolawoodward.uk 

Marketing and Press

This new collection will be fully serviced to all UK press and Media. Review copies of the CD or access to the digital files can be requested from john@musicandmediaconsulting.com – interviews can be quickly arranged if required. 

Advertising will be in the December issue of BBC Music Magazine.