Quatuor Voce
STRING QUARTET
Marcel Tournier
Images
Alpha Classics, 2025Emmanuel Ceysson, harp
Véronique Gens, soprano
Quatuor Voce
Sarah Dayan, violin
Cécile Roubin, violin
Guillaume Becker, viola
Lydia Shelley, cello
Harpist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra under Gustavo Dudamel since 2020, after nine years at the Paris National Opera as principal harpist, a position he obtained at the age of 22, then five seasons with the MET Orchestra in New York, Emmanuel Ceysson is unanimously recognised for his powerful and virtuoso playing. Here he pays tribute to Marcel Tournier (1879-1951), one of the greatest harpists and composers in the history of the harp. Most of his pieces are for solo harp or voice and harp, but he revisited some of his works and added other instruments, transforming them into chamber music. The pieces on this recording date from his mature years and reveal the influence of Debussy, Satie and Ravel. With the collaboration of the Quatuor Voce and Véronique Gens, Emmanuel Ceysson brings this important composer back into the spotlight and presents previously unheard versions of some of his works, the manuscripts of which have recently been rediscovered.
Press
Benoît Fauchet, Diapason, juin 2025
De ce dialogue avec les musiciens du Quatuor Voce, les différents recueils d'Images tirent une texture chambriste dont la fraîcheur et la clarté volontiers impressionnistes se reflètent dans les titres : miroitant Clair de lune sur l'étang du parc, Danse du moujik dont nous frappe l'énergie pulsée. Seul, Ceysson s'envole et joue avec une souple espièglerie dans La Volière magique, puis convoque le tintement ouaté des Cloches sous la neige. La Sonatine op. 30, ici dans sa version en trio avec violon et violoncelle, s'articule autour d'un remarquable mouvement lent, pivot Calme et expressif, entre un allegro et un finale aussi mystérieux que fiévreux.