Cantate pour une joie
THE WORK
Cantate pour une joie is a cantata in seven sections for soprano, chorus and orchestra and was completed in 1955 by a young Pierre Mercure. This was one of the first of Mercure's major works and it illustrates the influence of both Ravel and Honegger.
The poems written by Gabriel Charpentier express modern man's search for the happiness of faith. The composer states that this work illustrates the yearning for joy rather than the concept of joy itself. This is reflected in the works title as well as the musical language of the piece itself.
The work has premiered on February 1, 1956 by soloist Marguerite Lavergen and the CMC chorus and orchestra and it is the CBC's broadcast of this recording which is featured here. The score has received some prominent performances in the years since its premiere by ensembles such as the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, The Montreal Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and the Calgary Philharmonic and it was used as the basis for a 1976 Brian MacDonald ballet Les Grands Ballets Canadiens
THE CONTEXT
The archival recording featured here includes the premiere recording from 1956 as well as comments on the work by the composer himself and was broadcast on CBC Radio only weeks after the Mercure's tragic death in January 1966 at the age of 39.
