This piece revolves very much around the piano. I wrote it for Auxane Cartigny, a magnificent jazz pianist capable of great freedom in all styles, but also in the waltz musette style. The piano unfurls like a continuous thread of thought, until the violin disrupts the tranquil course of things.
The work begins in old Paris and its Faubourg atmosphere, conjured by waltzes and references to Edith Piaf and Jos茅phine Baker. A 鈥榝aubourg鈥� also refers to what lies beyond the city鈥檚 walls, beyond its boundaries, and thus the writing changes, taking us elsewhere and bringing together very different worlds, or worlds yet to be invented.
My focus was on writing the transitions between the different musical worlds found throughout the piece, the idea being that you can make huge leaps in style or mood as long as you approach it subtly. It alternates between a sort of concerto form and a more orchestral jazz atmosphere.
In the back of my mind, while working on transition and transformation, was the question of heritage, and what we can do with ours today.
Programme note 漏 Fiona Monbet