Laurent Gay initiated the Ensemble vocal Séquence in the spring of 1993. The original formation consisted of 16 singers, each with a solid background in the performance of choral song, and gave thus its first concerts with a programme consisting principally of the works for chamber choir from the 19th and, more particularly, the 20th centuries (Brahms, Hindemith, Fauré, Poulenc, Schoenberg, Webern, Ligeti…). The formation soon received invitations from organisers and producers to such notable festivals as the 'Festival du Haut-Jura', the Amadeus Festival and the Strawinski Auditorium in Montreux.
In 1996 the Ensemble vocal Séquence was involved in collaborations with the Ensemble Contrechamps, the International Centre of Percussion and the ensemble baroque 415 under the collective name Legato. It was with these partners that the Ensemble vocal Séquence was able to discover a more specific catalogue, be it in formations of 4 to 8 singers or 16 to 30 singers. The principle interpretation of works from the 20th century (Janacek, Kurtag, Schoenberg, Ligeti, Berio, Messiaen, Bartok, Strawinski…) does not render the Ensemble vocal Séquence afraid to approach the work of composers from centuries past, from Bach to the French School. Today, well established in the musical landscape of French Switzerland, the Ensemble vocal Séquence is renowned for the quality of its achievements, the originality of its programme and the singularity of its pace. Suggestions for collaboration reach the Ensemble vocal Séquence on a regular basis, most notably from the Ensemble Contrechamps or the orchestra of the Amadeus Festival.
Béla Bartók: Scènes Villageoises
Luciano Berio: Cries of London
Luciano Berio: Canticum Novissimi Testamenti II
Luciano Berio: A-Ronne
Benjamin Britten: Rejoice in the Lamb
Peter Eötvös: Madrigalkomödien
Leos Janacek: Rikadla
Olivier Messiaen: Cinq Rechands
Olivier Messiaen: O Sacrum Convivium
Igor Stravinskij: Les Noces
Anton Webern: Entflieht auf leichten Kähnen
Anton Webern: Lieder, op. 19
Iannis Xenakis: Nuits