Hendrik Bouman on his Compositions

“Sonata l’Envoi is the second of my larger piano sonatas. For awhile I worked simultaneously on what are now the first and last movement of the L’Evoi Sonata and I was in two minds about writing two different sonatas, because both pieces had the making of an opening movement. But in the end they found their place in the same work. I also remember that during the composition process other considerations went through my head, like breaking through the image of C major as being a simple beginner’s key.

As the music will convey its own message, feelings and resonance, I will just make mention of the bold opening in which strong chords in the bass underpin the top line in an off-beat fashion. 

The finished Sonata was sent off immediately to its illustrious dedicatee, Statesman Pierre Eliott Trudeau, former Prime Minister of Canada, hence its title; after many dedicated years of service, Mr. Trudeau, in 1984 on the 29th of February, after having walked alone in a snow-storm until midnight,  chose to step down as Prime Minister of Canada. On following day Mr. Trudeau declaried that “This is the first day of the rest of my life”. (https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/a-walk-in-the-snow)

“My ‘contemporary Classic compositions, written in 18th Century style, are the fruit of my love and admiration for the magnificent musical universe of the 18th Century. As a performer specialised in Early Music, I increasingly felt it a challenge to experience

what was for most of the Masters of the 17th and 18th Centuries commonplace: to perform, alone or in an ensemble, one’s own works.

In my approach to these piano compositions I savoured something of the fresh and eager spirit with which musicians in the 18th century explored this newcomer that gradually dethroned the harpsichord. Music coming directly from the Baroque heritage is being transformed on the piano with new technical horizons and a widening sound spectrum; a rich variety of emotional colours presents itself quite naturally to the musicians and composer.”

Hendrik Bouman, Pondichéry, 2017

©Hendrik Bouman, Sonata L’Envoi in C major - mvt.II - adagio

dedicatee - Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Music - 18th Century preclassical style

Composer - Hendrik Bouman

Performer - Hendrik Bouman

World Première - Concerts Chapelle historique du Bon Pasteur of the City of Montréal, Québec, Canada

Recorded - Chapelle historique du Bon Pasteur,

Montréal, Québec, Canada 1998

Piano - Fazioli

CD 2nd Notebook for Anna  ARYA

©Hendrik Bouman, Sonate L’Envoi en Do majeur - mvt.II - adagio

dedicatee - Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Musique - style préclassique du XVIIIe siècle

Compositeur - Hendrik Bouman

Interprète - Hendrik Bouman

Première mondiale - Concerts Chapelle historique du Bon Pasteur de la Ville de Montréal, Québec, Canada

Enregistré - Chapelle historique du Bon Pasteur,

Montréal, Québec, Canada 1998

Piano - Fazioli

CD 2nd Notebook for Anna  ARYA