Quatrain [parts]

Quatrain was originally composed in 1987 and entirely revised by the composer in 2024. As his musical language had evolved significantly over the years, he felt compelled to revisit the work, reimagining the original material through the lens of his current stylistic approach.

The first movement is predominantly contrapuntal in nature, drawing inspiration from the fugue, albeit in a highly free and flexible manner. The second movement is marked by a rhythmic and obsessive character, unfolding through a succession of contrasting episodes. The third movement, a deeply expressive lament, pays homage to the memory of the two dedicatees — Willy Delzenne and Michel Debroeyer — both of whom played a pivotal role in the composer’s artistic and personal life. The final movement, though ostensibly more luminous in tone, is interspersed with darker, more introspective episodes, revealing an underlying ambiguity.

Quatrain was awarded the Irène Fuérison Prize by the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Brussels.