In the Île Thélème Ensemble program “Prayers and Monologues” eras and styles are intricately intertwined. When any statement about modernity seems impossible, it is time for music. Many of the works included in the program were created in difficult times for their authors (and sometimes for everyone around them) – times of wars and deaths.

The “Prayers and Monologues” program outlines the panorama of human thought in sounds – it includes works of the Middle Ages and works of the 20th-21st centuries, the authors of which consciously turn to the sources of Western European music – Gregorianism and choral compositions of the pre-Palestrine era. These are songs that came from silence and strive into silence.

PROGRAM

Arvo Pärt, Fratres for violin and piano

Peteris Vasks, Castillo interior

Hildegard of Bingen, Spiritus Sanctus

Alfred Schnittke, Voices of Nature for 10 female voices and vibraphone

Francis Poulenc, Mass in G Major, Agnus Dei

Olivier Messiaen, Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus for cello and piano

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Ave Maria, version for string quartet).

Arvo Pärt, Psalm

Alexey Retinsky, Trio for violin, cello and piano

John Tavener, The lamb