LAURENT METTRAUX
Route Principale 160, CH-1791 Courtaman (Switzerland),
tel. + fax: (+41)
26/684.18.65, E-mail : laurent.mettraux@bluewin.ch
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WORKS FOR /
WITH ORCHESTRA(S)
(catalogue from May 1st, 2008)
FOR ORDERING A SCORE - PRICE LIST
M.466 : Symphony for chamber orchestra (1992) [14']
for chamber orchestra (2*-2*-2*-2* 2-2-0-0
Timp. Strings)
37 (+2) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
Presentation, score excerpt
and audio excerpt coming
soon
This work, first
performed very successfully by the Lausanne Chamber
Orchestra, conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos, has got the first prize and public
prize of the first competition for young composers in 1993. Tragic and
passionate work, taking advantage of all the resources of a chamber orchestra.
A slightly revised version has been first performed in 1999 by the Philharmonic
Orchestra of Volgograd, conducted by Emmanuel Siffert.
M.515 : Ombre (Shadow) (1995-8) [14']
for full orchestra (3*-3*-3*-3* 4-3-3-1
4Perc. Strings)
36 (+4) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
Presentation — score excerpt (pdf)
Impressive work, based on a tale by Edgar Poe, where
terror and anguish mix together, with sometimes strange sonorities, from the
imperceptible to the imposing ffff. This work won 1998 the prize of the Donaueschinger Musiktage, awarded
for the first time. First performance by the
SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden-Freiburg, conducted by Sylvain Cambreling,
Donaueschingen, 17.10.1999.
M.603 : Le Cocyte
(1999) [11’]
for full orchestra (3**-3*-3**-3* bar. sax. 4-3-3-1
4/5Perc. Strings)
15 (+4) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
Presentation,
score excerpt and audio excerpt
Describes the freezy and anxious atmosphere of the
frosty lake called up by Dante in his Divine Comedy. Ordered by Pro
Helvetia for the Festival of Arts on the occasion of the 100th
anniversary of the Association of Swiss musicians. First performed by the
Symphony Orchestra of Bern, conducted by Luca Pfaff, St. Moritz, 2.9.2000.
M.458 : Lacrimosa (1990, rev. 2006) [8']
for orchestra or chamber orchestra (2-2-2 (2 basset
horns ad libitum)-2 2-2 3Perc.
Strings)
20 (+4) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
This work, conceived
as a « Tomb of Mozart », draws its thematic substance from two quotations, one
taken from the Masonic
Funeral Music KV 477, and the other from the Lacrimosa of the Requiem. Erected
like a funeral monument with granite walls, this dramatic work contains a more
elegiac central part.
M.464 : Vision
Immanente (1992, rev. 2006) [7']
for full orchestra (3*-3*-3-3* 4-2-3-1
Hp Timp. Strings)
19 (+4) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
This work, of epic
character, contains also more agitated passages, contrasting with calm moments.
M.654b : Le Tombeau de Ravel (2006, orch. 2006-7) [6']
for chamber orchestra (2*-2*-2-2*
2-0-0-0 1Perc. Strings)
23 (+5) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
Presentation, score excerpt and audio
excerpts of the
original version for ensemble
This work has been written for a project of the Compagnie
CH.AU, for which six composers have written one movement each, corresponding to
one of the parts of the Tombeau de Couperin by Ravel. This piece inspires
itself of the Menuet of the Tombeau de Couperin, and has principally an
elegiac, tender and nostalgic character. The original version of this work is
written for an ensemble of 7 instruments.
M.662 : La
Mort sur un Cheval Pâle (Death on a Pale Horse) (2007) [11’]
for full orchestra (3*-2*-2*-3* 4-4-3-1 2Perc.
Strings)
30 (+6) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer
Commission by Pro
Helvetia for the Basel Sinfonietta. The work is inspired by the episode of the
apparition of the 4th Rider of the Apocalypse and describes the frightful atmosphere and the sensations of terror
it inspires. In order to obtain this, the work uses all the
potentialities of the orchestra, among which, at some places, strange sounds.
The dramatic tension is ensured by the opposition between, on one hand, the
dynamism of the baneful action of the Rider and of his lightning ride, and, on
the other hand, the anguished awaiting and the static pictures of the
desolation following the sudden arise of Death.
In preparation :
Orchestration of the
Swiss Dances, M. 635
Piece for orchestra, on
the theme of the Musical Offering by Bach
M.481 : Concerto for 15 soloist strings (1994) [20']
for 8 violins, 3 violas, 3 cellos and double bass
103 (+1) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
Presentation, score excerpt
and audio recording
Each instrumentalist is at the same time soloist,
chamber musician and member of the orchestra. 3 movements: passionate, elegiac,
and the third more rhythmical, with successive cadenzas for each of the 15
soloists. First performed during the opening concert of the Tibor Varga
Festival 1994, by the members of the
Festival Orchestra, conducted by Tibor Varga.
M.505 : Concerto (1994) [17']
for piano and orchestra (3*-3*-3*-3* 4-2-3-1
3Perc. Strings)
Full score: 51 (+2) pages
Reduction for 2 pianos: 57 (+1) pages
Work yet to be
first-performed (!! please contact the
composer for first performance)
Impressive work, with a great variety of colours. Slow
introduction, virtuoso part followed by a slow movement altogether of great
tenderness and great sadness. The end is a slow rise towards the light, going
through various stages.
M.544 : Concerto n.1 (1996) [13']
for violin and orchestra (2*-2*-2*-2* 2-0-0-0
Strings)
Full score: 20 (+4) pages
Reduction violin and piano: 11 (+1) pages
Solo violin part:
5 (+1) pages
Work yet to be
first-performed (!! please contact the
composer for first performance)
In two parts, the first one desolated and tragic, with
the cadenza almost at the beginning of the work, and the second one meditating
and profound, going away at the end towards high sounds (soloist part), towards
deep sounds (orchestra), and towards silence.
M.579 : Concerto n.2 (1998) [19’]
for violin and string orchestra (6-6-4-4-1/ 2)
M.579: Full score: 58 (+3) pages
M.579a: Reduction with piano: 32 (+2) pages
Solo violin part:
12 (+2) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
score excerpt (pdf)
First movement virtuoso and passionate, the second
calm and meditative, the third energetic. The cadenza, particularly expressive,
is to be found at the end of the second movement. First performance in
Budapest, conducted by Tibor Varga, with Isabelle Lambelet as soloist.
M.607 : Concerto n.3 (1999) [20']
for violin and full orchestra (3**-3*-3*-3* 4-3-3-1
T.-t. Strings)
M.607: Full score: 51 (+2) pages
M.607a: Reduction with piano: 43 (+2) pages
Solo violin part:
17 (+1) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
Presentation, score excerpts and
audio recording
In two parts. The
first virtuoso and dramatic, the second elegiac, tristamente semplice.
Ordered by the Radio Suisse Romande - Espace 2, compulsory piece of the
International Violin Competition Tibor Varga - 2000. First performed by Ryoko
Yano, winner of the interpretation prize and 1st prize of the
Competition, and the Chamber Orchestra of Lithuania, conducted by Gilbert
Varga.
M.628 : Concerto for organ and orchestra (2002-3) [18']
for great organ and orchestra (2*-2*-2*-2 * 2-2-2-0
3Perc. Str.)
40 (+4) pages
Solo organ part (B4) : 35 (+3) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
Presentation,
score excerpts and audio recording
First performed on the occasion of the inauguration of the new great organ of the Cathedral of Lausanne (December 2003). German first performance : April 2010 at the Gewandhaus of Leipzig, with Michael Schönheit and the Gewandhaus orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly. Alternately virtuoso, thoughtful, fiery or majestic. The organ has a dialogue with the instruments or opposes the orchestra.
M.629 : Double Concerto for pipa, violin and orchestra (2002-5) [21']
(2*-2*-2*-2 *
2-0-0-0 2Perc. Strings)
64 (+6)
pages
Pipa and
violin part : 40 (+4) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
To be first performed soon !
Work written for the famous pipa (chinese lute) player
Yang Jing, and the violinist Boris Livschitz. In three movements : the
first one alternates mysterious and energetic passages, the second one is
meditative. The third, Eruptivo, contains an important cadenza for the
soloists.
In project :
Concerto for percussion
and orchestra (for Pedro Carneiro)
Concerto
for four-handed piano (for the Silver-Garburg Duo)
Concerto for Harp (for
Chantal Mathieu)
M.528 : Vers le soleil couchant (Towards the setting sun), oratorio (1995-6) [42']
for 4 soli (SATB), children's or young girl's choir,
mixed choir and orchestra (0-c.a.-2 basset horns-2 0-2-3-0 Perc.(2) Vl. and Vc. soli strings)
M.528 full score 148 (+ 15) pages
M.528a reduction voice/piano: 91 (+15) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
CD recording
Numerous texts, also superimposed, on the subject of death, from the epic of Gilgamesh to E. Brontë, from the Vedas to Apollinaire (in English, French, German, Italian, Latin and Sanskrit languages). Very impressive work in its expressivity and its musical as well as philosophical development. Multitude of climates and very appeased ending. An order from the choir of the Fribourg University, which has first performed this work with great success in June 1996.
M.625 : Le Nom Caché (The Hidden Name), oratorio (2001-2) [48']
for 4 soli (SATB), mixed choir, solo cello, two pianos
and percussion (6 players)
M.625 full score 149 (+ 30) pages
M.625a reduction voice/piano: 197 (+26) pages
Performing material to be asked from the composer.
CD recording
Presentation, score excerpts
and audio excerpts — Text
Ordered by the National Swiss Exposition (2002). Work
based on texts stressing the anguish, and then the appeasement of the beings
facing the mystery of a hidden God, that can’t be named. The work develops
itself while following the various human feelings : questioning, rebellion,
despair, haunting doubts, acceptation of the limits of human comprehension,
contemplative silence.
All commissions welcome!