Monique Krüs

composer

Scene from Pirate Queen (2024)

Lied

Je vis, je meurs

Je vis, je meurs

Text/poems Louise Labé

Commission Stichting Muze, Bauwien van der Meer

Premiere April 30th, 2022 - TivoliVredenburg

Duration: 14'30 minutes

Song cycle based on three passionate sonnets by the 16th century French poet/organizer/feminist Louise (or: Loise) Labé (1524 - 1566).

1. Tant que mes yeux pourront (If only my eyes could…)

2. Baise m’encore (Kiss me again)

3. Je vis, je meurs (I live, I die)

CD 'La Lumière' recorded at the Orgelpark Amsterdam with three other compositions, available at Etcetera from December 1st, 2022. Also on Spotify

song cycle for soprano, hp, optional org, string quartet

arrangements available:

for voice and piano

for voice, string quartet and harp

'Van der Meer can make full use of her broad expressiveness

in Je vis, je meurs, three intense songs by Monique Krüs.'

- Volkskrant -

Monique Krüs herself is a soprano who has had an impressive career and

knows exactly what she can express with the human voice.'

- Opusklassiek -

Preview

14'30 | 2022 | French

Opusklassiek.nl review dd 23 Jan. 2023:

Read the whole review here

'After Lili Boulanger's Pie Jesu, the sun breaks through in the closing work by Monique Krüs (Utrecht, 1959). A three-part cycle of fifteen minutes on a text by the medieval poet Louise Labé (1524-1566). The full line-up of organ, harp and string quartet takes on an aureole that seems inspired by the subdued early romantic atmosphere that suggests a continuation of the Fauré – Boulanger – Debussy line. A composition on a text that speaks directly to the heart, even at a distance of five centuries. Monique Krüs herself is a soprano who has had an impressive career and knows exactly what she can express with the human voice.'

CD La Lumière with Je vis, je meurs.

Available at Etcetera Records

Soprano Bauwien van der Meer excels in Je vis, je meurs live at the Philharmonie in Haarlem

Play Video

Classic Children's Affairs: column by Edwin Rutten dated March 15, 2023

Read the whole review here (in Dutch only)

'La Lumière. Singer, organ, harp and the Helikon Quartet.

What a combination of instruments.'

About Je vis, je meurs he wrote:

'#6 What an intro before the vocals begin... you stick to the notes...

what a chord at 1'32", what's coming?! Fanta button spins.

A wonderful CD!'

Listen to Je vis, je meurs on Spotify

1. Tant que mes yeux pourront - If only my eyes could..

2. Baise m'encor - Kiss me again

3. Je vis, je meurs - I live, I die

Louise Labé (ca.1560)

Before the concert in the Wilhelmina-kerk in Utrecht, May 22, 2022

Composer and ensemble rehearsing in TivoliVredenburg, April 25th, 2022

© 2026 Monique Krüs

All rights reserved