Sonate, op. 16

Sonate pour violon seul Op.16 was composed between October 2021 and May 2022 for three violinists I deeply respect and who mean a lot to me. Dedicated to Jacques Ghestem, the first movement draws its inspiration from the exhilarating feeling of freedom and spontaneity I experienced while playing Elliott Carters Rhapsodie Musings (from Four Lauds for solo violin). Jacques Ghestem (whom I have known since I was JO) dedicated his professional lift to the performance and promotion of contemporary music and passed his musical vision and passion on to me. Through his pedagogical approach and our long discussions, I was able to gain insight into his own artistic world, full of memories and musical creations. It was thus only natural to dedicate this first movement to him who inspired many of its specific harmonie and instrumental features. The second movement was written for David Grimal an original free-spirited musician I have always admired for his inspirational and emotional stage presence and fiery performances. It was a privilege for me to play in his orchestra Les Dissonances. His performance of L'Aurore (from Eugène Ysaje's fifth Sonata for solo violin) at the Philharmonie de Paris in January 2022, prompted me to compose this slow, almost suspended, rhapsodie move-ment for him. The third and final movement is dedicated to Sarah Nemtanu. I first met Sarah in September 2021 at Radio France. She was then recording my Divertimento Op.15 with three of her colleagues from Orchestre National de France. The intense one-day meeting was an illuminating musical and human experience. Exchanging our personal visions of lift and music - me as a composer, Sarah as an interpreter - brought us closer together. A token of friendship and esteem for the three dedicatees, people who guided my way and enlightened my lift as a performer and composer, Sonate pour violon seul was under their benevolent and inspirational wing throughout its compositional process. Elise Bertrand.

ONF

Commande du Festival des Forêts de Compiègne. Création le 26 juin 2022 par Élise BERTRAND.