Dupré: La France au Calvaire – Fono Forum

War and destruction. The main work on this enthralling CD of 20th century French sacred vocal music, is Marcel Dupré’s one hour oratorio: “La France au Calvaire” (1952/53).

The libretto reflects on the destruction of Rouen, in the Second World War, through a series of allegorical scenes with holy figures. Dupré’s composition varies between excited unison drama and meditative passages. At the same time, it uses expressive, strongly chromatically enriched harmonies. The choir has sound intonation and attributes great attention to dynamics and articulation.

Fono Forum