Sunday 16 December at 16:30

On the occasion of the 2018 edition of “Christmas at the Invalides”
Saint Louis des Invalides Cathedral

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HÔTEL DES INVALIDES

CHRISTMAS CONCERT FOR HUNTING HORNS AND ORCHESTRA

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The Musée de l'Armée, with the support of the Fondation pour le Rayonnement de la Trompe Musicale (FRTM, under the aegis of the Fondation de France) and the Fondation François Sommer pour la Chasse et la Nature, offered all music lovers an exceptional concert with the participation of hunting horns.

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Part 1: Rallye Atlantique, conducted by Nicolas Dromer
The first part was devoted to the vast repertoire for the large horn ensemble. 
The Rallye Atlantique, an international champion ensemble, conducted by French and international horn champion, composer, and trumpet prize-winner of the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris Nicolas Dromer, performed works by:
Charles Bois, Fanfare des bois
Vincent Dornez, Pentecôte à la Corbinière  
Nicolas Couturier, Souvenir de Normandie  
Damien Cordaux, Balade à Verrines
Jules Cantin, Les Échos du soir

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Part 2: Musique des Troupes de Marine

With Petit Ensemble de Trompes, conducted by Stéphane Fougeroux and Mathieu Larrieu, soloist: Nicolas Dromer, solo horn
The second part started with pieces for orchestra by:
Casimir Fraixe, arranged by J. Fernandès, La Marche triomphale de Foch
Ferdinand Herold, Ouverture de Zampa
Percy Grainger, Irish Tune from Country Derry
Paul Fauchet, Symphonie (1st movement) pour orchestre d’harmonie
 

Followed by a performance of two major works of Baroque and opera music by:
 

François-Adrien Boieldieu, Ouverture de la Dame Blanche (arranged by M. Moisseron) for solo horn 
• La Dame Blanche is a comic opera in three acts by Boieldieu, first performed at the Opéra-Comique in 1825. The performance of the work by the Radio France choir and the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris’, conducted by Marc Minkowski, has remained fresh in our memory. 
This piece admirably reflected the extreme sensitivity of the composer who inspired Donizetti, Bellini, Bizet, Meyerbeer and Gounod. The hornists’ dazzling virtuosity revealed the extraordinary musicality of the hunting horn, a true musical instrument known as an irreplaceable accessory for hound hunting but used in the orchestra from the Marquis de Dampierre’s times.

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Jean-Joseph Mouret, 2ème suite symphonique pour musiques de chasse 
• This suite of symphonies including hunting horns was performed at the Hôtel de Ville in the presence of Louis XV in 1729. The recording of the work performed by Jean-François Paillard and his chamber orchestra, accompanied by the Rallye Louvarts de Paris’ hornists and conducted by Don Jean Pietri, has left a lasting impression. 
The performance of the Grand Orchestre de la Musique des Troupes de Marine’s, conducted by Stéphane Fougeroux, with the ensemble of horn players brought together by Nicolas Dromer, enabled us to hear this major work of the great baroque repertoire again. The horn was once again revealed in all its splendid power and remarkable musicality.
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Les Invalides 2018-2019 musical season,  
concert on the occasion of “Christmas at the Invalides”
Musée de l'Armée with the support of the FRTM and 
the Fondation François Sommer pour la Chasse et la Nature
Prices: 10 euros | under 26 years old: 8 euros | under 18 years old: 4,50 euros
www.musee-armee.fr

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Photos : © Olivier Bizard