Jean-François Michel

Prélude à l'au-delà

If there is one stage in our existence that sooner or later triggers reflection, it is probably the end of our earthly career. And for many, beyond doubt and questioning, the hope of a future. I have tried to portray this "gentle trepidation" musically. Jean-François Haas' deep, emotional and honest lyrics provided me with the ideal material for this. The title "Prélude à l'au-delà" (Prelude to the Beyond) leads the listener to Gabriel Fauré's (1845-1924) Requiem, the masterpiece he composed between 1887 and 1900. I think that the contrast between historical and contemporary music - beyond developments in style and civilization - illustrates the inevitable fact and eternal confrontation of every generation with death. Listening to Fauré's Requiem countless times has not only sensitized and strengthened my soul, it has also spurred me on to this great challenge of writing this Prélude à l'au-delà, whose instrumentation, incidentally, is identical to that of the Requiem. Important: the narrative part should ideally be performed by a speaking choir in order to achieve the vocal cluster effect of the Greek tragedies (alternative: a solo speaker). This part is a "Sprechgesang". The performers can freely shape expression and intonation in order to intensify the dramaturgy accordingly. Jean-François Michel, Courtepin, Switzerland