I usually like, not love, Yves Daoust’s works. However, this DVD-A release, Voix, is worth slipping into an empreintes DIGITALes top 10 list. Throughout this record, Daoust is looking back — at himself, at electroacoustic music, at music in general. Voix breaks no new ground, it’s not a revolutionary record, but it showcases the mastery and talent of Daoust as a composer. Four pieces: a self-portrait where Daoust comes back to the Revox tape recorder of his youth; a piece made with daily concrete sounds (in an early musique concrète style); a tribute to an old friend who has passed away; and a rereading of Bach’s chorals. The latter piece, Chorals ornés (42 minutes) is a tour de force: Daoust has put electroacoustic and poetic garments over 14 chorals by Bach, performed at the church organ by Régis Rousseau. These ornaments highlight the emotions already contained in Bach’s music, or create constrats or bring in a personal interpretation. A great work of art.

Translated from French.