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Founded by Rector Salim Daccache in 2015, the USJ Choir presented its concert, Contes et Mélodies, on November 23, 2023, at the Saint-Elie Kantari Church, gathering friends and patrons. The first part consisted of selected pieces from the repertoire of Francis Poulenc, Maurice Ravel, and Claude Debussy. This Is Beirut had the opportunity to meet with the choir’s conductor, Yasmina Sabbah.
In 2015, Reverend Father Rector Salim Daccache founded the Choir of the Université Saint-Joseph des Jésuites, which also includes the USJ Vocal Ensemble Baroque, specializing in early music. The choir quickly distinguished itself through its subtle musical interpretations and its focus on nuances and articulation. Yasmina Sabbah, a University of Cambridge graduate and one of the few female conductors of orchestras and choirs, leads the choir with her magical baton and presence, and particularly with her exceptional virtuosity. The choir’s latest concert, “Contes et Mélodies,” held on November 23, 2023, at the Saint-Elie Kantari Church, gathered friends and patrons. The main part of the program consisted of selected pieces from the repertoire of Francis Poulenc, Maurice Ravel, and Claude Debussy.
Poulenc was influenced by the neoclassical style, as evident in some of his compositions. Generally, his pieces are expressive, often characterized by a strong contrast between lyrical passages and more aggressive or rhythmic moments. Maurice Ravel is regarded as the most influential figure in French musical impressionism in terms of composition and orchestration, especially internationally. His work is a product of various influences, including the omnipresent Spanish culture. Most of his pieces, which are refined, elegant, and reflect his meticulous craftsmanship, were integrated into the concert’s repertoire. Ravel was influenced by poets like Charles Baudelaire, Edgar Allan Poe, Villiers de L’Isle-Adam, and Stéphane Mallarmé. He often used complex formal structures and bold harmonies, giving his compositions a unique character.
Claude Debussy, one of the major composers of the 20th century, was recognized by a virtuoso pianist, the stepmother of Verlaine, who prepared him for entry into the Paris Conservatory. He composed his first melodies to texts by Alfred de Musset. After encountering the symbolist poets Stéphane Mallarmé and Maurice Maeterlinck, he distanced himself from the Wagnerism that marked the beginning of his career and was dubbed the father of French musical Impressionism, even though he rejected this label. Debussy’s pieces are often described as evocative, exploring new and innovative sound textures and harmonic colors. He also developed a more free and less traditional form-dependent musical approach.
To provide insights into the concert and the choir’s interpretations, This Is Beirut met with Yasmina Sabbah, the conductor of the USJ Choir.
Your musical approach often fuses different styles, which can provoke discussions. What is your objective with this approach?
We are passionate about exploring unique, bold, and original repertoires centered on contemporary “crossover” music. “Crossover,” or “fusion” music, blends various styles and cultures, creating unique and innovative musical experiences. It transcends boundaries, forging links between different musical traditions and thus attracting a wider audience. This approach fosters creativity, artistic collaborations, and the emergence of extraordinary new ideas. Music becomes a powerful tool for bringing cultures together, fostering mutual understanding, and promoting peace. Nonetheless, we also perform classical works, such as Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Handel’s Messiah, and Mozart’s Requiem.
Your concert, Contes et Mélodies, presented two very different musical genres. Can you tell us about it?
Indeed. It was not one of our major concerts, but rather a private event for which we made an exception. The first part was dedicated to early 20th-century French classical music, featuring works by Poulenc, Ravel, and Debussy. After the intermission, we performed hits from American pop music, including The Longest Time by Billy Joel, Yesterday by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Crazy Little Thing by Freddie Mercury, Take a Chance on Me by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, and I Say a Little Prayer for You by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Based on what criteria do you choose seemingly divergent pieces to present in the same concert? How did you approach your upcoming concert dedicated to India?
To select seemingly divergent pieces for our concerts, we follow a specific methodology. Each year, we organize three distinct concerts: one dedicated to classical music, another to modern pop music, and the third to fusion music. For our upcoming concert focusing on India, we centered our repertoire around a specific instrument, the sitar.
We discovered the work This Love Between Us by Reena Esmail, which celebrates unity. This piece comprises seven movements, each representing the texts of the seven major religious traditions of India, including Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam. These movements illustrate how each tradition perceives unity, brotherhood, and kindness. The text is sung in English and in the original language of each tradition. Each movement merges elements of classical Indian and Western styles, ranging from Baroque style in the Christian movement to the Hindustani vilambit bandish style in the Zoroastrian movement, with other movements blending these musical cultures.
The previous year, we chose African Sanctus, a work focused on the percussion and rhythms of the African tradition. We aim to explore the culture behind each musical style, akin to a caterpillar transforming into a chrysalis. As well-known classical pieces are often reinterpreted, we find it essential to highlight contemporary music, the true future of music.
The USJ Choir was founded by Father Rector Salim Daccache in 2015. Tell us about how you became the conductor of this choir.
Fortune smiled upon me when I completed my studies with a Master’s in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. I approached USJ with the idea of establishing a choir, coinciding with the plans of the Reverend Father Rector. My application came at just the right time. After a series of interviews and trials over the course of a year, under the supervision of the former Secretary-General, Mr. Fouad Maroun, I was appointed to the position. I am deeply grateful to Father Daccache for his trust in me, especially as I was still young. His unwavering support and trust in the choir have significantly contributed to our rapid development and the realization of memorable concerts.
One such concert is the USJ Choir’s performance of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis at the Assembly Hall.
This piece is one of the most challenging ever written, and as the USJ Choir, we are immensely proud to have risen to the challenge. An informative documentary was made about our concert, and the German publishing house Carus-Verlag so appreciated our rendition that it designated our version as the reference on their website. Simply searching for “Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis” on the Carus Verlag website will lead to our version, a wonderful acknowledgement.
The USJ Choir consists of 70 members from all walks of life and of all ages, initially amateurs.
The USJ Choir is open to the community, but entry is subject to an audition. While there are no specific pre-existing restrictions, candidates must possess a high level of musical skill, including vocal technique, note reading, and prior musical experience, to pass the audition. The selection criteria have become increasingly stringent over time. Currently, joining the USJ Choir is quite challenging due to the limited number of available spots.
What is striking and absolutely beautiful is the presence of all denominations in the USJ Choir, reflective of the heart of Lebanon.
Our choir is open to all, regardless of denomination. The essence lies in bonds based on respect, tolerance, openness, and the essential interpretation of sacred songs in church. Our choir also brings together individuals from European countries such as France, Italy, and even Iran. This is due to student exchanges as well as the presence of embassy employees and UN officials among us. This diversity gives our choir a multicultural, multi-denominational, and international dimension, which we greatly value.