The Secret Mass

[Machine Translation] Martin and Martineau, two modern composers of vocal music, were impressed by Bach's "Matthew Passion" when they were 12 years old, and since then, Bach has been their spiritual foundation and the inspiration for many of their works. This "Mass" is also influenced by neoclassical music, but it is a work in which respect for Bach can still be felt at its core. Martin himself said that he did not want this piece to be performed publicly because it was an expression of his religious beliefs, but he later retracted this statement. Today, many choirs have taken up the challenge of performing this difficult piece. Martin 's "Four Romances for the Virgin Mary" has a folk song-like atmosphere reminiscent of Janacek or Bartok, and the chorus can enjoy the lively interplay between the various voices as they compete with each other. Other highlights include Martin's mysterious "Five Songs of Ariel" and Martineau's nostalgic "Romance of the Dandelion". The Danish National Vocal Ensemble is an Echo Award-winning and Grammy-nominated choral ensemble.

マルタンとマルティヌー、2人の近代作曲家による声楽作品集。12歳の時にバッハの「マタイ受難曲」を聴き感銘を受けたというマルタンは、以降バッハを精神の拠り所にし、数多くの作品を生み出しました。この「ミサ曲」も新古典派の影響もあるものの、やはり根底にはバッハへの敬意が感じられる作品。マルタン自身は"この曲は自分の信仰心の表れであるため公の場では演奏してほしくなかった"と語ったということですが、後にその言葉を撤回。現代では多くの合唱団がこの難曲に挑んでいます。一方マルティヌーの「聖母マリアのための4つの歌曲」はヤナーチェクやバルトークを思わせる民謡風の雰囲気を持ち、合唱でも各声部が競い合うような闊達なやりとりが楽しめます。他には神秘的なマルタンの「アリエルの5つの歌」とマルティヌーの郷愁の念が込められた「たんぽぽのロマンス」を収録。演奏しているデンマーク国立声楽アンサンブルは、エコー賞を獲得し、グラミー賞にもノミネートされた実力ある合唱団です。