for cello and piano
In 1993, on the occasion of the re-adaptation of a puppet show called ‘‘Le complexe du pilote’’ (for which I had produced, two years before, a scenic music for flute, cello and piano), I happened to write two love duets for cello and piano.
The new version of the show was never presented to the public, which is why I came to think about composing a sonata for cello and piano in three movements, of which the first and the finale would be none other than these two love duets.
My stay at the Casa de Velázquez enabled me to make that project come true and, from March to June 1996, I wrote the second movement which, because of its importance, gives to the whole of the sonata an unexpected dimension (close to 20 minutes) when compared to the initial material.
As the work’s unity is ensured by strong thematic links, I boldly played with the idea of mixing (or rather, alternating) styles: whereas movements one and three can determinedly be qualified as ‘‘light music’’, the central movement, for its part, leans towards a slow meditation, almost mystical, out of which a dance with wild rhythms at times will emerge.
The piece was premiered in Paris (at the ‘‘Maison de la Radio’’) in September 1996 by Guy Danel and Jean-Louis Delahaut; it is dedicated to Jean-Louis Florentz, who is known to have been not only a great composer but also a cello lover.
composed in: 1993-96
premiered in: 1996, Paris, at Radio-France, by Guy Danel, cello and Jean-Louis Delahaut, piano
duration: 19’
publisher: Jobert
discography : Xavier Gagnepain (cello), Jean-Michel Dayez (piano), 2010
(La ballade des pendus, HORTUS 080)
also in the repertoire of Frédéric Défossez (cello) and Claudio Chaiquin (piano)
YouTube Ist movement
YouTube IInd movement
YouTube IIIrd movement