Version 2010-“Books talk to each other” - Umberto Eco’s statement could just as easily apply to music as Les Citations for Oboe Harpsichord Double Bass and Percussion by Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013) brilliantly proves. Written in 1991 the score was reworked by the composer for the Festival d’Auvers-sur-Oise where the new version premiered in June 2010. The origin of this work goes back to For Aldeburgh 85. Written for the 75th birthday of singer Peter Pears the piece takes up a fragment of Peter Grimes whose leading role had been written by Britten for the beloved tenor. Dutilleux adds a page titled FromJanequin to Jehan Alain in which appears a song from the Renaissance composer “L’espoir que j’ay d’acquerir vostre grace” used by J. Alain in his Variations for Organ on a theme by Clément Janequin. The junction between the two parties is made through an Interlude that introduces the “wolf’s moan” theme from the ballet Le Loup (The Wolf) composed by Dutilleux in 1953 for the troupe of Roland Petit. This subtle tangle of quotations forms a shimmering and sensual work where the uniqueness of an authentic artist powerfully asserts itself.

The magnificent interweaving of harmonies and dialogue-like Voices in Handel’s For Unto Us A Child Is Born make it a perfect addition to the festive choral repertoire. German-born British Baroque composer George Frideric Handel originally composed this piece in 1741 for the English-language oratorio Messiah which eventually became one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. As the last song of Scene 3 of Part I of the oratorio which addresses Isaiah's specific prophecy about the virgin birth of a Messiah For Unto Us A Child Is Born tells the news of Christmas thebirth of a son in Isaiah’s words as found in the Scripture (Isaiah 9:6). The delicate familiar theme is introduced by the Sopranos and taken up by their counter-voices the Tenors later the same dialog is given over to the Altos and Basses. The tutti culminates in 'Wonderful' 'Counselor' 'The Mighty God' 'The Everlasting Father' and 'The Prince of Peace'.