Since the LP was released in the 1950s, there have been countless versions of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater. The piece instantly captivates the listener, expressing such a sense of suffering through its deliciously abrasive harmony. From a purely economic perspective, it’s affordable too, containing only a small number of strings, a continuo to suit a variety of contexts, and only two solo voices: a soprano and a mezzo.
In more recent years, falsetto singers have begun to feature in this famous score. However, this new version hasn’t got onboard with this emerging trend, opting instead for two female vocalists whose careers are really starting to take off: soprano Jodie Devos and mezzo-soprano Adèle Charvet. These two well-embodied voices ring out in striking contrast with the youthful voices of the Maîtrise de Radio France choir directed by Marie-Noelle Maerten.
Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater has been performed all over Europe since its premiere and has been an undeniable success, having been played dozens of times in Paris at the Concert Spirituel from the 1750s onwards. The number of people involved in the piece would often differ and the cast would be changed depending on the specific circumstance and availability of soloists (back then, this score wasn’t revered like it is today). With this new recording, Julien Chauvin has created a version in which the choir plays a real role in the narration of the piece, even conversing directly with the soloists.
The French musician then chose Haydn’s Symphony in F minor, also known as “La Passione” to complement Stabat Mater. This is the perfect accompaniment, ensuring that his ensemble, Le Concert de la Loge, really shines, and that the drama and passion of Pergolesi’s masterpiece isn’t cut short. © François Hudry/Qobuz