VOCES8: Cantique de Jean Racine by Gabriel Fauré

VOCES8 performs Gabriel Fauré’s ’Cantique de Jean Racine’ with the English Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Barnaby Smith. The performance was filmed at Cadogan Hall, London in 2021 during the height of the pandemic, and this orchestration by Taylor Scott Davis was created especially for the concert. TEXT Verbe égal au Très-Haut, notre unique espérance, Jour éternel de la terre et des cieux, De la paisible nuit nous rompons le silence: Divin Sauveur, jette sur nous les yeux. Répands sur nous le feu de Ta grâce puissante; Que tout l’enfer fuie au son de Ta voix; Dissipe le sommeil d’une âme languissante Qui la conduit à l’oubli de Tes lois! Ô Christ! sois favorable à ce peuple fidèle, Pour Te bénir maintenant rassemblé; Reçois les chants qu’il offre à Ta gloire immortelle, Et de Tes dons qu’il retourne comblé. TRANSLATION Word of the Highest, our only hope, Eternal day of earth and the heavens, We break the silence of the peaceful night; Saviour Divine, cast your eyes upon us! Pour on us the fire of your powerful grace, That all hell may flee at the sound of your voice; Banish the slumber of a weary soul, That brings forgetfulness of your laws! O Christ, look with favour upon your faithful people Now gathered here to praise you; Receive their hymns offered to your immortal glory; May they go forth filled with your gifts.