L’Arbre de Vie

Often equated with a symbol of eternity, l’Arbre de Vie is found in many cultures, and has been the subject of numerous pictorial representations. The tree’s roots represent the origins of life. The trunk unfurls vertically, symbolizing solidity and strength, before continuing its evolution with the branches, which sometimes fall back to join the roots. In this way, it represents circularity, where roots become branches and vice versa. For this fantasia concertante for organ & orchestra, I wanted to define the different parts of the tree and their characteristics from a sonic point of view. The work begins by exploring the lower register of the orchestra and organ, with melodic lines that respond to each other and intertwine, like roots. This leads to a more harmonic, vertical section, referring to the trunk of a tree, where organ and brass respond to each other. The orchestral woodwinds and organ then take up the root motifs in the high register and develop them, symbolizing the branches and their close relationship with the roots. The following parts of this fantasy superimpose the various elements through variations, culminating in a cadenza for the organ, which takes up all the musical elements on its own. The final section, in a calming atmosphere, features tinkling sounds symbolizing the fruits of the tree, before the final burst from the organ and orchestra. This work also highlights the different characteristics of this original formation, the organ and the orchestra. These two entities have the capacity to be successively soloists and accompanists, through rich sound colors, at the crossroads of chamber music and ensemble music. The contrasts thus produced blend gentleness and strength, in a variety of arrangements.
Grégoire Rolland