Mass in Blue was composed in 2003 by the English composer and conductor Will Todd (born 1970). The idea of the work is clear: merge classical choral music and jazz. Through the six movements of a sung mass – Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei–, we hear stylistic elements of blues, gospel, and a large part of improvisation.
The Mass in Blue is 40 minutes long. The work was first written for choir and big band, but the version presented during this concert is reduced for choir: soprano soloist (Jacqueline Woodley), piano (Chad Linsley), saxophones (Florence Beauquier-Léger), double bass (Adrian Vedady) and drums (Claude Lavergne).
A first part will feature a small vocal ensemble. Inspired by the work of The Swingle Singers, The Manhattan Transfer or even Québec vocal ensembles like Bémol 9 or La Bande Magnétik, the ensemble of seven choristers will present vocally complex pieces with reduced instrumentation.
The concert is conducted by Lorenzo Somma.
