This recording by Ciconia Consort, Couleurs de France, offers a rare and evocative journey through four lesser-known works for string orchestra by three prominent 20th-century French composers: André Jolivet, Jacques Castérède, and Daniel-Lesur.

Jacques Castérède’s connection to his French predecessors is evident in his use of modal, chromatic, and diatonic scales. A student of Olivier Messiaen, Castérède nonetheless forged a highly personal harmonic style within an extended tonal idiom, characterised by melodic clarity and accessibility. His compositions seem to harmoniously blend the various French styles of the 20th century. In his work, we hear the sonic fingerprints of Arthur Honegger, Daniel-Lesur, and his teacher Messiaen – all woven into a coherent, lyrical whole.

Throughout his life, André Jolivet aimed to ‘restore to music its original, ancient meaning, when it served as a magical, incantatory expression of the religious beliefs of human communities.’ His later compositions continued this exploration, seeking music’s original function as an emotional, ritualistic, and celebratory form of expression. His Symphonie pour cordes, commissioned by French radio and television, was composed in 1961 and premiered on 9 January 1962. The symphony demands exceptional technical skill from all performers. It is written in a freely atonal idiom and is characterised by intense dissonance.

Among his instrumental works is the Sérénade pour cordes (1949), a luminous piece that highlights his lyrical style and refined craftsmanship. Written for string orchestra, it embraces classical clarity while exploring colorful modal harmonies, characteristic of Lesur’s personal voice.

This recording is the fifth CD on Brilliant Classics of the Ciconia Consort (The Hague String Orchestra), a Dutch string orchestra conducted by Dick van Gasteren, an internationally active conductor, who was Bernard Haitink’s assistant during the Mahler Festival Amsterdam in 1995.

Critical praise for the Ciconia Consort on Brilliant Classics:

‘The Ciconia Consort does Castérède proud, dispatching the counterpoint in the finale with relish… I enjoyed this disc greatly.’ – Fanfare (French Music, 95734)

‘The Ciconia Consort, resident at the Hague, are a fine ensemble, and this collection will not disappoint.’ – MusicWeb International (American Pioneers, 96086)