VOCES8 and Paul Smith are once again in Nantes, France, for the annual music festival La Folle Journée which is led by René Martin, Directeur Artistique.

This year’s festival theme celebrates the life and work of Beethoven, who was born 250 years ago. The group is performing new arrangements and transcriptions of some of Beethoven’s best loved works, in a programme with pianist James Sherlock. Titles include works arranged by Jim Clements, and Joshua Pacey.

Paul Smith will be leading a large-scale concert with title ‘After silence: Beethoven and Beyond’. A large choir of children and adults drawn across the Nantes region will come together with VOCES8 for a vibrant tribute to Beethoven. This is a new immersive and interactive experience in a programme of works by Beethoven, traditional songs and creations inspired by his music. It includes ‘A Moonlighting Sonata’, for piano and choirs, newly arranged by Paul Smith with Christopher Moore and Katie Jeffries-Harris.

“The Legacy of Genius : Beethoven 250”Beethoven : Fantaisie pour piano, chœur et orchestre opus 80, finaleBeethoven : Elegischer Gesang opus 118Beethoven : Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt opus 112Beethoven/Pacey : Lochnagar WoO 156Beethoven : Farewell bliss WoO 152Beethoven : Enchantress farewell opus 108Clements : Beethoven rearranged

The music will be published by Edition Peters in the coming weeks.

At the start of May the ensemble will be in Tokyo, Japan with La Folle Journée repeating the programme.