Emmanuel Séjourné is a renowned French composer and percussionist, known for his contributions to the classical music repertoire. As a performer, he has premiered numerous works and collaborated with leading artists. Séjourné's compositions, including the "Concerto for Marimba and Strings," reflect his passion for exploring the expressive potential of percussion instruments.
Séjourné's concerto was commissioned by marimba virtuoso Bogdan Bacanu and written in 2005. The original version featured two movements: a slow opening movement with an opening cadenza and a lively, flashy second movement. In 2015, Séjourné composed a new first movement to expand the work into the standard three-movement concerto form. The original two-movement version remains available for purchase. Performances of the 2005 two-movement version continue, and some marimbists choose to perform only the second movement as a virtuosic showpiece. Concerto For Marimba And Strings Emmanuel Sejourne.pdf
Concerto for Marimba and Strings by Emmanuel Séjourné is one of the most widely performed works in the contemporary marimba repertoire, having received over 600 performances worldwide. Composed in Emmanuel Séjourné is a renowned French composer and
: A stark contrast to the first movement, this section is driven by relentless, dance-like rhythms heavily influenced by jazz and popular music. Expect extensive use of four-mallet technique
The finale is a tour-de-force. It returns to the energy of the first movement but adds a layer of virtuosic speed. Expect extensive use of four-mallet technique, quick interval leaps (tenths and twelfths), and syncopated rhythmic patterns that clash and resolve with the strings. The ending is explosive, leaving audiences breathless.
