Secular or reimagined texts, in Latin or in French, psalms or poems, the album Ainsi soit-il brings together prayers set to music by composers of the 19th and 20th centuries.

If our first recording, Contes Mystiques, introduced listeners to the poet Stephan Bordèse and his eponymous cycle composed by twelve of the leading musical figures of his time, this second album is conceived as a mirror, framed by Les Prières by André Caplet, which open the program, and the Trois Prières by Joseph-Guy Ropartz, which bring it to a close. These two cycles share an identical structure and similar texts. They immerse us in the spirituality of these two composers, in which simplicity, humility, and beauty embody the mystery of faith. From Arthur Honegger, another believer represented in this program, we have chosen the Trois Psaumes, which lend a Protestant perspective to the album. Devant la Madone for piano by Jules Massenet, through both its title and its music, suggests an intimate encounter with a Marian statue on Christmas Eve. This devotion to the Virgin is echoed in the Deux motets, Op. 67, by Gabriel Fauré, as well as in the Ave Maria settings by Mel Bonis, Jehan Alain, and the second Ave Maria by Charles Gounod.

Finally, Ainsi soit-il also offers discoveries and first recordings, including Père éternel and Ave Maria by Jacques de La Presle, Pater Noster by Clémence de Grandval, and Viatique by Cécile Chaminade.

1. André Caplet : Les Prières, Oraison dominicale
2. André Caplet : Les Prières, Salutation angélique
3. André Caplet : Les Prières, Symbole des Apôtres
4. Jacques de La Presle : Père éternel
5. Jacques de La Presle : Ave Maria
6. Arthur Honegger : Trois Psaumes, Psaume XXXIV
7. Arthur Honegger : Trois Psaumes, Psaume CXL
8. Arthur Honegger : Trois Psaumes, Psaume CXXXVIII
9. Jules Massenet : Devant la Madone
10. Mel Bonis : Ave Maria
11. Gabriel Fauré : Tantum ergo
12. Gabriel Fauré : Deux motets, op. 67 Salve Regina
13. Gabriel Fauré : Deux motets, op. 67 Ave Maria
14. Clémence de Grandval : Pater Noster
15. Charles Gounod : Second Ave Maria
16. Cécile Chaminade : Viatique
17. Charles Gounod : Prière de Jeanne d´Arc
18. Jehan Alain : Ave Maria
19. André Caplet : Prière Normande
20. Guy Ropartz : Trois Prières, Oraison dominicale
21. Guy Ropartz : Trois Prières, Salutation angélique
22. Guy Ropartz : Trois Prières, Symboles des Apôtres