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Romie de Guise-Langlois and the Dover Quartet Premiere Pierre Jalbert's Equilibrium in Arizona

Mar. 06, 2024

Romie de Guise-Langlois and the Dover Quartet perform the world premiere of Pierre Jalbert's Equilbirum on March 10 at the Leo Rich Theater in Tucson, AZ as part of the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music's Winter Festival. The work was commissioned by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, sponsored by Jean-Paul Bierny and Chris Tanz, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Chamber Music Houston, and the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth.

Jalbert notes:

"I have had the great fortune to work with the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music on several commissions over the years, having my works premiered by truly outstanding musicians. Along the way, I also got to know Jean-Paul Bierny and Chris Tanz as I was welcomed into their home many times, and I was honored to once again write a work for the festival. The word equilibrium implies balance. It seems to me that the world, especially recently, is careening towards being very unbalanced and out of sorts. From climate change to politics, extremes seem to rule the day. This work focuses on the striving for a sense of equilibrium and is in three contrasting movements. The first movement, "Still/Animate," seeks to balance two types of music: the first, static and calm, and the second, rhythmically active. The back and forth between the two, and the proportion of each, results in a kind of conversation through form. The second movement, "Chant," uses Gregorian chant as its basis, but expands and weaves the lines into a more contemporary texture. The third movement, "Tipping Point," is fast-paced and at times frantic, always pushing to the edge and constantly propelling itself forward to the end.

This work was commissioned by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, sponsored by Jean-Paul Bierny and Chris Tanz, and this performance is dedicated to the memory of Jean-Paul.”

Listen to Pierre Jalbert's "Waveform" from String Quartet No. 4 (2008), available on the album "Air in Motion" (Orchid Classics):

Pierre Jalbert/"Waveform" from String Quartet No. 4/Escher Quartet

To learn more about Pierre Jalbert, visit schott-music.com.

Pierre Jalbert
Equilibrium (2023)
for clarinet in Bb and string quartet
16'

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