It all started with him. His passion and skills for mechanics and electricity, particularly in the service of sound reproduction, led him to build and operate, at the age of 18, professional equipment (recorder, preamplifiers and amplifier) used for the recording of a first record. From there, it was one thing leading to another, with the creation of the company and numerous projects in a wide variety of musical styles.
André worked for Kudelski on Nagra recorders, and was stage manager at the Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne, where he was constantly interested in sound equipment, even though he later moved into aircraft maintenance, both mechanical and electronic, a field in which he also excelled. This second activity took him to Africa for a few years, and he left the company, but his initial impulse has always remained attached to it.
Almost 60 years of collaboration with VDE-GALLO. His latest major recording: Paul Miche’s works for violin and piano by Alexandre Dubach and Marlis Walter (Double CD ref. VEL 1681-1682).
A musician and teacher by training, Claude Maréchaux is interested in everything (arts, techniques, reflections), not only by documenting but also by practicing. He has made almost a thousand superb recordings, in the most diverse locations and conditions: at Victoria Hall for Mendelssohn’s Psalms or Handel’s oratorio Saül, in the Philippines or in remote parts of Mexico for recordings of historic organs inventoried with organist Guy Bovet. Also a photographer, he has taken a large number of documentary and artistic photos.
We are sad to announce the death of an accomplished humanist musician, an enthusiastic, competent and demanding discoverer. Chen Liang-Sheng, for 33 years conductor of the Geneva University Choir, composed of equally enthusiastic singers, passed away on February 27. We participated together in three significant moments, the first two of which, because of their financial scope, gave our small family enterprise a cold sweat: in 1971, the world premiere recording of the original English version of Handel’s oratorio Saul, for soloists, choir and orchestra, with the OSR and Hugues Cuenod in the role of David. In 1972, recording of Mendelssohn’s Psalms 42, 95 and 115 for soloists, choir and orchestra, completely unknown works which had not been performed in concert since their premiere under the direction of the composer. Also with leading soloists, and the OSR. Both recordings by Claude Maréchaux, who accomplished with musicality and technical prowess. Of profound and joyful beauty, these Psalms are now known, played and recorded all over the world.
A Chinese-American, Chen (he was called by his family name) was involved in the training of classical musicians in China, notably in Beijing and Shanghai, giving courses over long periods. He has performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with the Geneva University Choir, the Beijing Central Conservatory Orchestra, and Chinese soloists in concerts both in China and Switzerland. We have also published a CD recorded during a concert at the Victoria-Hall.
Being the conductor of an “amateur” choir, and one that changes considerably from one year to the next with the changing of university classes, is not the best position to make a name for oneself. Chen made the best of it, putting his ambition in the quality of sharing works that he found beautiful and that he took the time and the trouble to deepen with a rare professional conscience for the performers and the public. (Photo: Jean-Rémy berthoud)
