The sacred music of Mel Bonis (1858–1937) or elevation through music Mel Bonis, pseudonym for Mélanie Bonis (1858–1937), was one of the few French composers of her time who left posterity an extensive musical work. The Parisian from a modest middle-class background attended the conservatory in the same classes as Debussy and Pierné. Her teachers, Ernest Guiraud and Louis Auguste Bazille in the harmony, piano accompaniment and composition classes, praised her highly. She attended César Franck’s organ lessons as a guest student. “She was so good at Gregorian chant that she was presented as an example to foreign students who sometimes attended the lessons.” A complete edition of Mel Bonis’s sacred music has now been published in five volumes by Furore Verlag: motets for four-part mixed choir, motets for two- and three-part choir, mass, Cantique de Jean Racine, sacred and Christmas songs.
Vol. 1: Motets for Choir (SATB)
O salutaris, op. 131, Adoro te, op. 150-1, Inviolata, op. 163, Ave verum, op. 166-1, Tantum ergo, op. 167
Vol. 2: Motetten für 2- oder 3-st. Chor
Regina cœli, op. 45, Sub tuum, op. 132, Salve Regina, op. 169, Panis angelicus, op. 145, Ave Maria, op. 176, Tantum ergo, op. 168, O salutaris, op. 188, Ave verum, op. 166-2
Vol. 3: Messen für 4-st. gemischten Chor
Messe a capella op. 164: Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus dei; Kyrié en fa # mineur, op. 170
Vol. 4: Kirchenlieder
Cantique de Jean Racine, op. 144 für vierstimmigen gemischten Chor, Tenorsolo, Harfe und Orgel; Zwei Lieder zur Erstkommunion: O mystère d’amour, op. 146, Troupe innocente, op. 142 für mittlere Stimme mit Orgelbegleitung; Prière de Noël, op. 44 für vierstimmigen gemischten Chor a cappella
Vol. 5: Melodien und Weihnachtslieder für eine Stimme mit Begleitung (Klavier, Orgel oder Harfe)
O Salutaris, op. 50. Adoro te, op. 150-2, Ave Maria, op. 68, Allons prier, op. 73, Cantique à Marie, op. 122, Noël pastoral, op. 20, Noël de la Vierge Marie, op. 54, Noël ancien, op. 143