Soliloques

SOLILOQUES
7 microludes for alto saxophone

Robert Lemay, composer
Stéphane Sordet, saxophone

SOLILOQUES (“Soliloquies”) is a series of very short pieces (microludes) for solo alto saxophone. To say everything with little is the idea of this work. The seven pieces, each between 30 seconds and one minute long, are like sentences or a few words thrown on paper, sketches, or brush strokes.
The piece was written during the pandemic for French saxophonist Stéphane Sordet and is a tribute to the Hungarian composer György Kurtág, a great master of the miniature.

“These miniatures of varied moods require the saxophonist to play around colors, expressions, and dynamics, going from very diaphanous characters to more percussive and spectral ambiances. The variety of the discourse of the soliloquies, though quite short pieces, is such that we find within them the main writing trends of the 20th century. While being in the spirit of Kurtag, the composer plunges us into Grisey, Boulez, Scelsi… all while keeping the essence of his writing. These Soliloques are like marvelous little sequences to be savored like great dishes of French cuisine revisited by a great starred chef, ” observed Stéphane Sordet about the piece.

After having passed through jazz and improvised music, STÉPHANE SORDET quickly turned to contemporary music and creation. He creates many new works and shows each year, and participates in the promotion of the new repertoire to various audiences. Anxious to develop and present the repertoire, he collaborates and works with many ensembles and participates in many new works with composers of various backgrounds and aesthetics.

As a “crossover” saxophonist, he plays all saxophones (from bass to sopranino), and enjoys encounters and crossings of the arts, mixing musical styles and artistic practices. He performs in orchestras, in chamber music, but also with actors and plays with eclectic formations mixing improvised music, learned and electronic music or jazz and world music, but also with other artistic practices such as dance.

Stéphane Sordet is supported by Selmer, Vandoren, and JLV with whom he collaborates. He is vice-president of the Association of French Saxophonists and member of the repertoire committee of the Confédération Musical de France (CMF). He is currently a professor of artistic education at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional de Brest.

ROBERT LEMAY has composed numerous works and received many international awards. His music is mainly inspired by poetry, literature, cinema, visual arts, politics, social events, and includes two series of tributes: one to filmmakers and another to abstract painters. The saxophone plays a predominant role in his work.

His music has been performed in over 30 countries, including Canada, the United States, Asia, Europe, South America, Israel, Mexico, and Australia. Several of his pieces have been broadcast on radio in Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Austria, and Australia. 22 of his works are featured on 20 different recordings in Canada, Europe, and the United States.

The score of Soliloques is available from Note en Bulle Éditions.