Instrumentation: SATB chorus and piano
Premiere: Schulich Singers, conductor Matthew Boutda — February 2025
Duration: ca. 5′00″
Program note
Harmonie du soir sets the poem of the same name by the French Romantic poet Charles Baudelaire. I tried to illustrate the evocative power of poetic lyricism by exploring distinctly French musical colours. The vehicles Baudelaire uses to carry us through the text are the calm, curious gaze of an observer taking in the surrounding nature, and thoughts that surface spontaneously. Variable repetition and vivid imagery help create an almost hypnotic sense of unpredictability, echoed in the piece through varied recontextualizations of themes and textures. Attentive listeners may hear tone-painting and allusions to other styles, but I hope the emphasis on flowing phrases and overlapping, emerging gestures will speak to everyone.
Score excerpt: Link coming soon
Recording: YouTube link coming soon
To request access to archival recordings, contact Hugo Denis via the Contact page.