
THE CANTATAS OF DAVID POHLE
After focusing on the instrumental music of David Pohle and recording his complete instrumental works, Clematis is now passionate about the sacred music of this 17th-century German composer.
With his label Ricercar, whose reputation for exploring early music repertoire has been established internationally for nearly 50 years, Clematis embarked on this complete recording project. The project was undertaken in collaboration with the Grand Manège in Namur, where Clematis is currently in residence.

This repertoire comprises some thirty compositions for varying ensembles, from one singer and a few instruments to groups of six voices and about ten instruments, and for some, with the addition of a choir. This recording was planned in three phases between 2025 and 2027. The first recording (followed by a concert) took place at Saint-Loup Church in Namur in July 2025. It will be followed in September 2026 by a second phase, devoted primarily to cantatas for small ensembles; this recording (and the concert) will take place at the Grand Manège in Namur, using a brand-new organ for the basso continuo, inspired by 17th-century models and particularly suited to this repertoire (an instrument by Étienne Debaisiaux). Finally, the last session will be held in October 2027, again at Saint-Loup Church in Namur. Here, the most imposing cantatas are planned, featuring large vocal and instrumental ensembles (strings, bassoon, trumpets). We will have the opportunity to record these works using the church's grand organ, thus recreating conditions as close as possible to those under which this music would have been performed at the time of its creation. Indeed, the Thomas organ in this church is directly inspired by the spirit of German Baroque organs. The 3-CD set is scheduled for release by Ricercar in 2028.
The recording is obviously made on old instruments (copies or originals) and the chosen pitch will be 465hz, that is to say a semitone higher than our modern pitch, which ensures the singers the most suitable range to interpret this repertoire under historical conditions.
Note that apart from three or four compositions, this recording will be a world first.

The soloists invited for this important production are :
Caroline Weynants & Wie Lian Huang, sopranos
Coline Dutilleul, mezzo
Paulin Bündgen, countertenor
Robert Getchell, & Pierre Derhet, tenors
Philippe Favette & Samuel Namotte, bass

Clematis in rehearsal in Saint-Loup in July 2025
David Pohle, Domine ostende mihi (extrait)
Caroline Weynants, Coline Dutilleul, Paulin Bündgen, Robert Getchell, Philippe Favette
Clematis / direction Brice Sailly

Next scheduled concert
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Concert at the Grand Manège in Namur
Infos & reservations: grandmanege.be

