Composer

:

Marcel Tournier

Style

:

Suite

Average_duration

:

3:30

Marcel Tournier's Suite for harp No. 3, Op. 35: No. 1, Les Anesses grises sur la route d'El-Azib was composed in 1924. It premiered in Paris, France, in the same year. The suite consists of four movements, and Les Anesses grises sur la route d'El-Azib is the first movement. The title of the movement translates to "The Gray Donkeys on the Road to El-Azib." The piece is inspired by a scene from Tournier's travels in North Africa, where he saw a group of gray donkeys carrying heavy loads on a dusty road. The music captures the image of the donkeys plodding along, with a sense of weariness and determination. The movement is in a slow tempo and is marked "Très calme et doux" (very calm and sweet). It begins with a simple, repetitive melody played in the lower register of the harp. The melody is then repeated in the middle and upper registers, creating a sense of rising tension. The music then settles back into the lower register, with a gentle, flowing accompaniment. Throughout the piece, Tournier uses various harp techniques to create a range of textures and colors. He employs glissandos, arpeggios, and harmonics to create a shimmering, ethereal sound. The music is also characterized by its use of dissonance and chromaticism, which add a sense of tension and unease. Overall, Les Anesses grises sur la route d'El-Azib is a hauntingly beautiful piece that captures the essence of Tournier's travels in North Africa. Its use of harp techniques and chromaticism make it a challenging and rewarding piece for harpists to play.

More....