A collection of music from turn-of-the-century Paris including works by both established and lesser-known composers.
On the occasion of their 10th anniversary, the Revue Blanche ensemble goes back to their roots: to vibrant turn-of-the-century Paris, where a luscious body of music emerged that has occupied a central place in Revue Blanche's repertoire since the very start.
"Misia Sert became our guide. Walking in her tracks, Revue Blanche paid a call on Villa Servais in Halle where she spent her childhood and played a Polish song by her grave in Samoureau, near Valvins. While they encountered many iconic masters enchanted by her, she also put them on the track of lesser-known composers. With every step and every gem their curiosity grew, Misia seducing them to go beyond what they'd initially imagined. The present recording is Revue Blanche's homage to this fiery, unbridled spirit who by devoting her life to the arts perennially inspires others to do so as well.
The ensemble found working on this album a challenge as well as a saving grace in a year without concerts. The involuntary break from the stage allowed them to focus on the recording process, where they applied ourselves to making Misia a perfect tribute. Now it's finally here, our hope is that the soundsketch of this grande dame, who truly mastered the art of bringing people together, will help answering to the profound need for beauty and connection felt by many."
Revue Blanche is a vocal/instrumental chamber music ensemble with an unusual and richly coloured combination of soprano, viola, harp and flute. Begun in 2010, the ensemble has made rapid strides winning the VRT-Klara Young Talent Award in 2013, the YAMaward in 2016 and recording their very well received disc 'Shelter'.
The ensemble was named 'Revue Blanche', after the French art and literary magazine published at the end of the 19th century. White is the sum of the entire colour spectrum and hints at the idea of the blank canvas, anxiously waiting for opinions and reflections to be written upon it. This influential idea segues smoothly into the aesthetics this ensemble focuses on, resulting in an ongoing search for interesting repertoire. High quality arrangements emphasize the diverse colours of the different instruments.
Revue Blanche has performed in major concert halls such as Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ Amsterdam, Temppeliaukion kirkko Helsinki, Nordea concert hall Tallinn, Opra de Lille, Bozar Brussels, Flagey Brussels, Concertgebouw Bruges, deSingel Antwerp and De Bijloke Ghent. They were also invited by Klarafestival, Internationaal Kamermuziekfestival Schiermonnikoog, Big Bang Festival and Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
