Vom Himmel zur Seine – ars cantandi

The ars cantandi Chamber Choir, conducted by Markus Belmann, and Paris-based organist Sarah Kim will present choral and organ music from Paris. The cantor of St. Max Church has put together an exquisite, rarely heard program in which subtle choral pieces alternate with majestic organ sounds. The chamber choir begins with the Gregorian chant “Ubi Caritas,” whose theme is taken up in Maurice Duruflé’s “Quatre Motets sur des Thèmes Grégoriens.” This is followed by works by Jehan Alain, Olivier Messiaen, and Francis Poulenc, before the choir sings the “Agnus Dei” from Louis Vierne’s “Messe Solennelle, Op. 16,” framed by two monumental movements from his magnificent 6th Organ Symphony.