Terra Forming

Canticum Novum sheds new light on the wonderful medieval repertory of Tuscan laude. Taken from the Laudario di Cortona, these popular sacred songs of praise from the time of St Francis of Assisi, overflowing with poetry and sunshine, are transcended by Emmanuel Bardon and his ensemble. Appropriating another culture and playing it through the prism of ones own culture, not to imitate it but to resonate with it: this I show the art project Canticum Novum has been defining its deep self for many years now. Working this way, the musicians forming the ensemble constantly question their own musical identity, the way they play their instruments. They often accept to leave their comfort zone and to relearn how to play, adapting to the repertory to be interpreted and their present colleagues. The idea is not to contort oneself in order to play another repertory but to move towards it.

The renowned tenor Cyrille Dubois and the pianist Tristan Raës move forward with the French mélodie and dedicate their new album to the more confidential part of the production of Franz Liszt: his vocal pages. Sensuality, passion and sincerity are woven together, forming the main theme of this program, with in the background the idea of an artistic modernity transcending borders.