Caroline Charrière (1960-2018)

Biography

Caroline Charrière

Born 1960 in Fribourg (Switzerland), Caroline Charrière has accomplished flute studies at the Lausanne Conservatory (with Pierre Wavre) and completed them with Aurèle Nicolet and at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (GB). During the same time, she studied orchestration and composition with the Swiss composer Jean Balissat and conducting (Lausanne Conservatory, Hervé Klopfenstein).

She taught flute and musical culture part-time at the Conservatory of Fribourg, founded the women vocal ensemble Chœur de Jade in 1991 and directed it until her death.

In 2000, Caroline Charrière devoted herself to composition. Major commissions confirm this choice: notably from the Pro Helvetia Foundation for the oratorio Le livre de Job (2001), from the Association of Swiss Musicians for Anima mea for choir and organ (premiered at the Lucerne Festival in 2010), from the Fribourg International Festival of Sacred Music for Tenebrae factae sunt for mixed voices (2018). Renowned performers (Brigitte Balleys, the Amar Quartet, the French ensemble Kantika, etc.) and several distinctions confirm the relevance of this choice.

Her work, which is performed all over the world, includes all musical genres, from pieces for one instrument to musical theatre, choral works, concerti and humorous pieces. Caroline Charriere composed in a desire to share with the public. Sober and elegant, her music is accessible and touching. Caroline Charriere was one of the first composers in Switzerland to be able to live from her art.

Since her death in October 2018, the Association Caroline Charriere represents the interests of her music. Information, catalog of works: carolinecharriere.ch

Works

Audio

Dans la forêt de Brocéliande
for 2 horns and harp

MCX102 Foret Broceliande

Malinconico
for string trio

Malinconico

Victor Musique de scène
for violin and piano

1. Lever de rideau
7. Friselis et scène délirante
8. Scène du cheval
12. Acte III début
15. Musique de fin

Ave Maria
for men choir a cappella

Ave Maria (digital)

L’inverno è passato Traditional Song from Ticino, Switzerland
for mixed choir a cappella SATB

V125 Inverno e passato

L’air glisse...
for mixed choir

V118 L air glisse

I Am Ready To Go
for mixed choir a cappella

V123 I Am Ready to Go

Hope
for mixed choir and string quartet

V115 Hope

The Spider
for mixed choir a cappella

The Spider

Noël
for mixed choir a cappella

Noël

L’enfance en éclat & Toccata
for piano

L'enfance en éclats
Toccata

Feux
for flute, clarinet, marimba, percussions, violin, viola and cello

Feux

Undine et Ondine
for women choir, flute and harp

Undine & Ondine

Petite Suite
for flute and piano

I. Contrastes
II. Vocalises
III. Suspense

Naissances
for symphony orchestra

Naissances

Le Temps Suite
for string orchestra

Le Temps

La voix meurtrie
for alto/soprano saxophone and piano

La Voix Meurtrie

Agnus Dei
for women choir

Agnus Dei