Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra: II. Tempo souple

Emmanuel Séjourné's Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra brings the marimba, an instrument whose modern concert repertoire has expanded considerably in recent decades, into the expressive world of the classical concerto. Séjourné combines the rhythmic precision and percussive character of the instrument with a melodic sensibility rooted in Romantic tradition, enriched by occasional harmonic and rhythmic influences from jazz.

The concerto was originally conceived in two movements before being revised into a three-movement version. In the revised version, the second movement, Tempo souple, offers a moment of lyrical introspection. Its Italianate tempo marking suggests a flexible, supple approach to the music, allowing the soloist to shape phrases expressively rather than adhering to an inflexible pulse.

The marimba's wooden bars produce a distinctive sound: warm and rounded, yet capable of remarkable clarity and agility. In this movement, Séjourné draws on the instrument's ability to sustain a melodic line through carefully controlled phrasing and overlapping resonances. The strings provide a rich harmonic backdrop, supporting and complementing the soloist while contributing to the movement's shifting colours and expressive depth.

The result is music that feels both contemporary and familiar. Its tonal warmth and expressive lyricism connect with the Romantic concerto tradition, while the marimba's distinctive timbre and the music's harmonic language give the work a character all its own. The movement reveals a less overtly percussive side of Séjourné's writing, demonstrating how an instrument associated with rhythm and virtuosity can also convey tenderness, subtlety and sustained melodic expression.

• The marimba's singing quality: Listen for the way the soloist shapes a flowing melody from notes produced by wooden bars, creating a sound that is warm and resonant rather than purely percussive.

• The flexibility of the tempo: The marking Tempo souple invites subtle changes of pace and expressive phrasing. Notice how the music breathes and how the soloist and orchestra respond to one another.

• The dialogue with the strings: Rather than simply accompanying the soloist, the strings provide harmonic colour and emotional depth, helping the marimba's melodies emerge and recede within the texture.

• The harmonic atmosphere: Listen for rich, sometimes unexpected harmonies that lend the music a modern character while retaining a strong sense of lyricism.

• The contrast within the concerto: This movement offers a more reflective perspective on the marimba, providing a counterbalance to the rhythmic drive and energy of the concerto's other movements.