CHORAL MUSIC
You will find below a selective catalogue of my sacred choral works. Please contact me at aurelien.hallopeau[at]gmail.com for any related question.
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Sacred works
Three Shepherds Lost in the Snow (score) SATB divisi a cappella, 2022, [4’45]
Text adapted from “In the bleak midwinter” by Christina Rossetti
This piece is influenced by the British tradition of Christmas Carols, and depicts three shepherds lost in the blizzard, which intensified along the piece. They suddenly see a strange light in the distance, which turns out to be due to people gathered around a child lying in a manger...
This piece was premiered by Ensemble vocal Evohé as part of theconcert programme "Un Soir de neige" in Temple de Chavannes-près-Renens, Switzerland, on November 27, 2022
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Rimango sol (score) SSAATTBB or double-choir a cappella, 2021/2, [3’15]
Text: Divina Commedia, Purg. IV: 44-45, Dante Alighieri
"O dolce padre, volgiti, e rimira
com'io rimango sol, se non restai."
This plaintive piece was written as a tribute to Italian poet Dante, as 2021 was the 700th anniversary of his death. The piece develops around the words of a single sentence from the Divina Commedia, which can be translated by “O my sweet Father! turn thee and behold How I remain alone, unless thou stay”. This sentence is pronounced by Dante as he is ascending the Mountain of Purgatory with Virgil.
Though this text is profane, the piece could be used for the Easter period.
Rimango sol was premiered by professional vocal ensemble L'Horizon Chimérique, directed by Benoît Dubu, in Temple de la Madeleine, Geneva, as part of the DoublE-ChoiR project.
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Surge amica mea, et veni (score) SATB divisi a capella, 2020/1, [4’15]
Text: Bible, Song of Songs, 2:8-13
This piece was commissioned by Ensemble vocal Evohé for the concert series “Amour Royal”, based on pieces written on texts from the Bible’s Song of Songs. It depicts the growing desire between two lovers as Spring comes.
The piece is divided in several parts, based on three different musical ideas. The first idea is
enigmatic and is used when the “amica” hears her lover’s voice. The second idea is more
rhythmic and should surprise the listener. It is used when the characters are describing actions, i.e. when the lover is approaching, and when he tells his “amica” that Winter has gone. Finally, the third idea is based on unisons following a pentatonic scale and rich chords with divisi, with the repetition of the word “Surge” (“Come”) to transcribe the growing inclination between the two lovers.
Surge amica mea, et veni was premiered on April 30th, 2022 by Ensemble vocal Evohé, directed by Fruzsina Szuromi, in Cathédrale Saint-Pierre, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Sub tuum praesidium (score) SATB a cappella, 2020, [5’45]
Text: Prayer to the Virgin Sub tuum praesidium
By using a variety of textures and tempi, this choral piece tries to depict the words from one of the oldest prayers to the Virgin Sub tuum praesidium, resulting in a reflective and contemplative atmosphere. Several ascending scales are used to suggest that the prayer is ascending to heaven.
This piece was remiered on May 15th, 2022 by The Choral Scholars of St Mary of the Angels, Bayswater in London during The London Festival of Contemporary Church Music.
It was also awarded during Chorus Austin’s Composers Competition 2023, Texas, USA.
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O Magnum Mysterium SATB a cappella, 2020, [3’30]
Text: traditional text from the Matins of Christmas
This calm piece on the traditional text from the Matins of Christmas uses colorful and mysterious harmonies to describe the atmosphere of the nativity scene.
This piece was premiered on September 5th, 2021 by Ensemble Vocal Evohé conducted by Fruzsina Szuromi in Pully, Switzerland.
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Ten short Christmas Cadences SATB divisi a cappella, 2021, [3’15]
Three of these cadences were premiered by Echo Vocal Ensemble and The Swan Consort
Set of ten 20-to-30-seconds pieces, composed for a challenge organized by three British choirs - The Gesualdo Six, Echo Vocal Ensemble and The Swan Consort - as part of their 12 Days of Christmas project. More information available here.
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Lux Aeterna SATB a cappella, 2019, [4’20]
Text: communion antiphon for the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass
Peaceful piece setting into music the communion antiphon from the traditional Roman Catholilc Requiem Mass.
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