L’oiseau empoisonné (The poisoned bird)

Flute, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, viola, cello and contrabass
(1994)
Duration : 10’
Commissioned by the Conservatory of Toulouse
First performance on april 1st 1995 in Segovia by the Segovia’s instrumental ensemble conducted by Flores Chaviano
French first performance on october 23th 1995 in Bordeaux by the Ensemble Musique Nouvelle conducted by Michel Fusté-Lambezat
Publisher : Editions Jobert

The beginning of the piece plays with the instrumental timbre, with a harmonic rendition based mainly on the minor third’s interval, with multiple coloured tints, a result of the rapid alternations between the eight instruments.
This early, light and carefree mood gives way to a long, harrowing lament which makes up the second part of the work.

The poisoned bird, commission of the Toulouse’s Conservatory, is dedicated to the memory of the composer Dominique Troncin

Patrick Burgan