L. Brewaeys - speechless song, being many, seeming one
B. Britten - Metamorfose no.1: Pan
R. Vaughan Williams - Vocalises
R. Vaughan Williams - Blake songs (1-3-5)
O. Knussen - ...upon one note
R. Vaughan Williams - Blake songs (6 & 10)
F. Bridge - Fantasy Quartet
Cl. Debussy - Prelude nr.9 Hommage à Pickwick

Ph. Gaubert - Trois aquarelles

F. Neyrinck - Shadow and Darkness-the Evening of the Deluge
Cl. Debussy (arr. F. Neyrinck) - Green
Cl. Debussy (arr. F. Neyrinck) - Spleen

 

The Odysseia Ensemble combines its instrumental versatility with a programme tinged with British spirit. Through the music, the British literature worms its way into their programme : so, a sonnet of Shakespeare has inspired the «unsingable» Speechless Song by Luc Brewaeys, a paean to the harmonious coexistence. Odysseia performs this piece as we know it from the “Queen Elisabeth Competition”, for soprano and crotales (a former percussion instrument), but also proposes – in world premiere – the version for ensemble.

In turn, William Blake has inspired Ralph Vaughan Williams, who found in the British folk tradition the starting point of his impressive Blake Songs. His vocalizations, as well as the Metamorphoses by Benjamin Britten, based on Ovid's, are situated in the same sphere of musical genius. Even the French composers included in the programme are turning their eyes towards the English literature. So, Debussy has founded one of his preludes on a character of Charles Dickens and has included the British national anthem in it.

 

Distribution : soprano, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, violin, alto, cello, piano