STUDIUM CHORALE HONORS COMPOSER FRANK MARTIN WITH MESSE POUR DOUBLE CHOEUR

Maastricht – Fifty years ago the Swiss-Dutch musician died. This makes 2024 a Frank Martin year; the opportunity to give the modest composer’s repertoire extra attention. Studium Chorale sings the double choir mass for choir a cappella. Organist and composer Geerten Liefting improvises – between the parts of the mass – on the sounds of Martin’s composition. In addition, new work will be premiered by Geerten Liefting and Vincent Ghadimi.

Frank Martin
The a cappella Mass for double choir (1922-1926) lay in a drawer at Martin’s home for about forty years. He took the composition with him in 1946 during his emigration from Switzerland to the Netherlands, but only produced the manuscript in 1963 at the request of a Hamburg choir conductor – Franz Brunnert. He immediately saw the beauty of the piece and was allowed to have it – luckily! – for the first time with his Bugenhagen Office. It was only when the NCRV Vocal Ensemble performed it in 1970 that Martin gave permission to officially publish the mass.
The reason for his restraint around the composition? Martin thought it was a matter between God and him, something personal, nothing to share with the world. Fortunately, he eventually had the composition released with the following explanation: “Let us hope that there is still conviction, youth and something of beauty to be found in this almost half-century-old mass.”

World premieres by Geerten Liefting and Vincent Ghadimi
In addition to this impressive music by Martin, Studium Chorale will sing two world premieres by the Dutch composer Geerten Liefting and the Belgian Vincent Ghadimi. Geerten Liefting, one of the most acclaimed improvisers in the Netherlands, will also improvise – between the mass parts – inspired by the sounds of Martin’s mass.

Young talent
It is important for Studium Chorale to bring well-known and lesser-known, high-quality works to the stage; often in a chamber musical setting and preferably together with young talent. As has been good practice since its founding, two young conservatory students will again sing in the choir during this project. Studium Chorale is happy to give them the opportunity to further develop and shape their career.

For info : info@studiumchorale.nl