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Romie de Guise-Langlois and the Dover Quartet Perform the NYC Premiere of Pierre Jalbert's Equilibrium

Apr. 24, 2025

On April 17, Romie de Guise-Langlois and the Dover Quartet gave the NYC premiere of Pierre Jalbert's clarinet quintet, Equilibrium at the Daniel and Joanna S. Rose Studio, presented by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. 

The world premiere of Equilbrium took place on March 10, 2024 at the Leo Rich Theater in Tucson, AZ as part of the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music's Winter Festival. The work was commissioned by the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, sponsored by Jean-Paul Bierny and Chris Tanz, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Chamber Music Houston, and the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth.

Jalbert explains:

"The word equilibrium implies balance. It seems to me that the world, especially recently, is careening towards being very unbalanced and out of sorts. From climate change to politics, extremes seem to rule the day. This work focuses on the striving for a sense of equilibrium and is in three contrasting movements. The first movement, "Still/Animate," seeks to balance two types of music: the first, static and calm, and the second, rhythmically active. The back and forth between the two, and the proportion of each, results in a kind of conversation through form. The second movement, "Chant," uses Gregorian chant as its basis, but expands and weaves the lines into a more contemporary texture. The third movement, "Tipping Point," is fast-paced and at times frantic, always pushing to the edge and constantly propelling itself forward to the end."

Prior to the NYC premiere, Pierre Jalbert was interviewed by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Read more here: Finding Equilibrium in Clarinet Chamber Music

Listen to the world premiere performance of Pierre Jalbert's Saxophone Concerto (2024):

Saxophone Concerto/Pierre Jalbert/Timothy McAllister, alto saxophone/The Shepherd School of Music Contemporary Music Ensemble/Jerry Hou, conductor

To learn more about Pierre Jalbert, visit schott-music.com.

Pierre Jalbert
Equilibrium (2023)
for clarinet in Bb and string quartet
16'

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