Transcriptions 2
Accentus, the superb French choir, follows up its successfulTranscriptionsdisc with a second one of 19 inventive transcriptions of works by composers ranging from Vivaldi to Ravel. Some are of keyboard works, others, of orchestral pieces, still others, of songs. In each the arrangers have used the original texts or poetry that fits the music, a striking example being Franck Krawczyk's arrangement setting the text of the Requiem to the Winter concerto from Vivaldi'sFour Seasons. Like others in this collection, it proves surprisingly appropriate in its choral guise, the transcription closely following the original score. Perhaps even more impressive is the way pieces by Scriabin, Debussy and Ravel are fitted with texts that fit the music with uncanny exactitude. What might seem like a far-fetched exercise is transformed into an exciting exploration of choral sonorities that add a new dimension to the originals. The result is an enjoyable and thought-provoking disc that will delight lovers of choral music.-- Dan Davis