In early December 2024, five-and-a-half years after the devastating fire of 2019, the great Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris reopened to the public. This recording of a new choral setting of the Magnificat by the organist-composer Yves Castagnet celebrates the cathedral’s “rebirth.” Since 1988, Castagnet has held the post of choir organist at Notre-Dame. His role also encompasses interpretative coaching for the cathedral’s choir school, La Maîtrise Notre-Dame de Paris, which includes five different choral ensembles for talented children, teenagers, and adults. Conductor Henri Chalet says: “Yves Castagnet’s Magnificat will both pay vibrant homage to Notre-Dame and provide proof of the Maîtrise’s continuing vigor and luster as it creates a repertoire for the future. Like Maurice Duruflé, Yves Castagnet is a representative of the great French school of organ-playing.” Rounding out the 43-minute Magnificat for four soloists, choir, and organ are three additional Psalm settings in French for choir and organ by Castagnet.