A musical sensation: Yvonne Loriod’s highly expressive orchestral music finally sees the light of day. The exceptional pianist and legendary piano professor, born in Paris in 1924, was primarily known during her lifetime as the performer of music by her husband Olivier Messiaen. The WDR Sinfonieorchester and Kent Nagano will perform one of her numerous orchestral compositions for the very first time: La Sainte Face, a 15-movement musical description of the saint’s face for soprano and orchestra. The vocal part of this long-forgotten religiously influenced music will be undertaken by Sarah Aristidou. This is a rare opportunity to experience one of the most fascinating works of musical and religious expressions of the 20th century.

Alex Nante (*1992)
Ein feste Burg (2025)
composition for orchestra over Johann Sebastian Bach’s chorale BWV 302

Jean-Claude Touche (1926–1944)
Trois pièces pour orgue (1940s)
Pastorale
Elévation
Thème et variations sur Veni Creator

Jehan Ariste Alain (1911–1940)
Première fantaisie (1943)
Deuxième fantaisie (1939)
für Orgel

Yvonne Loriod (1924–2010)
La Sainte Face (1945)
Contemplations for soloists and orchestra
World premiere

PART I
1. Apparition on the Holy Shroud of Turin
2. The mouth contorted with pain
3. The abused nose
4. The tender eyelids which veil the tears – precious diamonds – Saint Theresa
5. Burning tears flow over swollen cheeks
6. The wounds of the crown of thorns
7. The eyebrows which collect the blood from the wounds
8. The fine black hair soiled with spittle
9. The tender emaciated face
10. The features of the Holy Face appear on us like an immortal tear
11. Face of peace framed by the forest of hair… divine model of the monasteries which will become his resting place  
12. Abandonment of God
13. When we observe the Holy Face with half-closed eyes, it appears as if we can see in its features the distress and imbalance of nature at the moment of death
14. The raging agony of evil on the Holy Face
PART II
15. Meditation on the lily

Henry Fairs – organ

Sarah Aristidou – soprano
Wendy Vo Cong Tri – flute
Emily Hoile – harp

WDR Sinfonieorchester
Kent Nagano – conductor