This is a sheet music for choirs, string orchestras or organs and glockenspiels.
The “Litanies de Saint Michel” were written in 1996 to echo to “Croix de lumière.” It was written after the author had spent a few days in Mont Saint Michel Abbey.
The atmosphere of monks’ prayer mystic interiority which was sung into the Abbey’s vault inspired the atmosphere of this religious trilogy. The melody is written like plainsong but with strange intonations which provide an impenetrable aspect.
The orchestra writing is very sober. Voices are often doubled and sounds are extended in order to create a small reverberation time effect. Glockenspiel’s part is necessary. It suggests distant small bells. The central and incantatory is written on an ostinato which aim is to create a sparkling effect. This is the musical representation of monks’ spirituality intertwined with the bright light and the hugeness of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay.
