Composer: Philippe Hersant
Performer: Alice Ader
Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris Sorbonne
Conductor: Johan Farjot
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Disques Triton
Release: 2010
Size: 194 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Ephémères (Live)
01. I. En cet automne
02. II. Le pluvier
03. III. La luciole
04. IV. Dans l’air du soir
05. V. Poissons blancs
06. VI. Vent d’automne
07. VII. Ouragan
08. VIII. Lune voilée
09. IX. Bambous
10. X. Enchantement
11. XI. Guerriers
12. XII. Une fourmi
13. XIII. Oiseau des silences
14. XIV. Au temple de Suma
15. XV. Le poulpe
16. XVI. Nuage
17. XVII. Chevauchée
18. XVIII. Le héron
19. XIX. L’arc à coton
20. XX. Vallée du sud
21. XXI. La voie lactée
22. XXII. Le canard
23. XXIII. Désolation hivernale
24. XXIV. La lande
Philippe Hersant’s “Éphémères” is a captivating work, showcasing the French composer’s talent for creating evocative and atmospheric music. Composed in 2004 for piano, the piece consists of 24 miniatures or short movements, inspired by haikus – a form of Japanese poetry known for its brevity and depth. Each of these brief musical moments captures fleeting emotions and images, much like the ephemeral quality of the natural world they depict.
Hersant’s ability to blend minimalist techniques with a lyrical, almost impressionistic sensitivity is at the heart of “Éphémères”. The work demonstrates a delicate balance between silence and sound, with moments of stillness and subtlety, punctuated by flowing melodies and rich harmonic textures. The economy of material in each movement – sometimes just a few bars long-forces the listener to focus intently on the expressive content, drawing out a profound emotional resonance.
Performances of “Éphémères” reveal the work’s fragility and beauty, inviting pianists to engage deeply with its nuances. Hersant’s attention to fine detail, along with his characteristic use of shifting tonalities and delicate dissonances, paints vivid emotional landscapes in each brief segment. The work moves fluidly between introspective, meditative moments and more dynamic, expressive passages, creating a tapestry of contrasting moods.
Overall, “Éphémères” is a masterful exploration of musical brevity and expression, capturing fleeting moments of beauty and emotion in a deeply poetic way. Hersant’s ability to evoke so much in such small musical spaces makes this work an exceptional contribution to contemporary piano repertoire. It appeals to those who appreciate both the intellectual and emotional dimensions of modern classical music, revealing new layers of meaning with each listen.