For his latest project Didier François chose the Ave Verum Corpus by Josquin des Prez, the celebrated Renaissance composer of whom he has long been a fan. Moreover, next year, 500 years after his death, des Prez will be put in the spotlight. Numerous festivals have chosen this theme as a guide in their programming. It would also be a dream for Didier to be able to perform Josquin on various stages.

"Ave Verum Corpus" is a eucharistic hymn (14th century). It was sung when the wafer was held up after consecration, after which the 'bread' is broken and eaten. It is thus a reminder of the suffering of Christ on the cross, a torture as the greatest divine icon of all time. A bizarre contradiction? Not really!
MESSAGE OF ACCEPTANCE

How do we understand these words in the 21st century? A loving God who allows such a terrible thing to happen, when he stands for love, trust and all-embracing creative energy? "Not my will, but Thy will be done," Christ spoke on the cross, fully surrendering and even ready to die. His resurrection follows and He continues to live in positive eternity. Acceptance of pain brings salvation. After sports, cycling, walking - a bit of suffering - we usually feel better. A monk accepts his ascetic way of life and strengthens himself every day; a prisoner, on the other hand, does not choose his incarceration and resists. Should he surrender, perhaps he would discover something that could free him from his pain. We can accept disease, separation, corona as slaves with bowed heads, but they can also set us free, make us active and driven. We can (learn to) accept setbacks. We can then surrender to the inevitable stress and torment that comes with it and let go of it. Compulsive impulsive behavior can disappear as a result and we start to feel freer in a sublimated bliss. Our ego withdraws, peace returns. Josquin's polyphony is the dreamed of ego-less music where every voice is equally important and no one forces himself on another.

  PRESENT

"Ave Verum Corpus" is a blatant YES against life! A clear, noncommittal invitation to a courageous, combative way of life. This is how Didier François wants to see his interpretation of Josquin, together with his famous fellow musicians and chorists. A highly professional line-up that guarantees a benevolent, meditative -- heavenly -- interpretation of a masterpiece from the Renaissance. Didier is not unknown to the world of early music, but this time he wants to go even further. He guarantees inany case a faithful, authentic interpretation of a magnificent hymn. With this program Didier strives for a more contemporary performance, with subtle jazz sounds. An innovative approach, with a surprisingly contemporary cachet! It goes without saying that Sonny Classic HR is ready to release Didier's interpretation on CD.

A collaboration of:

Ensemble Utopia (5 voices ))
Michel Bisceglia: piano

Jan Van Outryve: renaissance lute
Thomas Baeté: viola da gamba, vielle

Didier François: Nyckelharpa (viola d’amore a chiavi) & Sienaharpa

Duration: 60’

As an evening-filling program, the performance is supplemented by a duo of Thomas Baeté and Didier Francois in which various Biciniums are central, performed by vielle and Sienaharpa