Composed in 2013 and dedicated to Jean-Marc Fessard, Albireo is a work for bass clarinet structured in an arch form (A – B – C – B′ – A′), alternating contrasting tempi: Slow – Fast – Slow – Fast – Slow.
The title refers to Albireo, the double star situated at the end of the Cygnus constellation. To the naked eye, it appears as a single third-magnitude star; however, when observed through a telescope, it is revealed to be two distinct celestial bodies: Albireo A, a yellow star of magnitude 3.1, and Albireo B, a blue star of magnitude 5.1.
The final section, A′ (Misterioso), offers a variation of the opening, focused more intimately on shifting registers within the instrument, bringing the piece to a contemplative close.
The world premiere took place on 2 April [year not specified] at the Conservatoire d’Aulnay-sous-Bois (France), performed by Jean‑Marc Fessard (clarinet and bass clarinet), alongside Didier Pateau (oboe), Guillaume Demougeot (clarinet), and Elisabeth Kissel (bassoon).
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