Rituæls

The Montreal-based string septet collectif9 presents an innovative program again with works by Hildegard von Bingen, Arvo Pärt, Michael Tippett, Nicole Lizée, Bryce Dessner and Jocelyn Morlock. Rituæls is a new collection of music from the Middle Ages to modern times with a story - an artistic gesture - that recalls the human tradition of passing on knowledge and customs in culture and art. An element of continuity connects each piece of music to the next, whether in the form of a drone or a sustained note, a chord that transforms imperceptibly, or a group of continuously repeated notes. The earliest performances featured dance and movement, an idea that influenced the interpretation and development of the program on this album.