Nigra Sum, Sed Formosa

Par FOCCROULLE BERNARD. This piece is part of a composition cycle for ancient organs. It is meant for a soprano voice and a cornetto (cornet à bouquin), favorite instrument of the Renaissance music and of the early baroque period, often considered the closest to human voice. This piece was written for a meantone temperament (eight perfect thirds), which is also the temperament in which the cornetto naturally sounds the best. A slightly modified meantone temperament can also be suitable. Ideally, the organ should have two keyboards. However, a version for one keyboard should not be excluded. The indication of dynamics and registration are to be interpreted freely depending on the instrument, and of the balance with the voice. The organ switches between the resonance and soloist functions, almost always in duo with the cornetto. The organist will make sure not to cover the voice and instead will look to merge with it. The text comes from the Song of Songs. Music was often made from it and Monteverdi used it in a famous motet for tenor and basso continuo in Il Vespro della Beata Vergine. The premiere of Nigra Sum took place on September 16, 2012, on Thomas d'Orp-le-Grand's organ, an instrument inspired by the 17th Century Franco-Flemish craftsmanship. The artists were Alice Foccroulle, soprano, Lambert Colson, cornetto, and the composer at keyboards. / contemporain / Répertoire / Soprano, Cor et Orgue