Marc-André Rappaz was born in Lausanne. Following studies at Geneva Conservatory in violin, viola and theory of harmony he deepened his education in composition under Alberto Ginastera and later under Witold Lutoslawski. On completing undergraduate studies he had as much interest in humanities as he did in the natural sciences, poetry and language sciences, physics and mathematics. Two years of mathematics and physics at the University of Geneva has left little impression on his compositions, but they did encourage him to deepen his knowledge of the aesthetic connections between music and science. He organised meetings with Benoît Mandelbrot and György Ligeti at the festivals 'Archipel' (Geneva) and 'Musiques en Scène' in Lyon, where he also participated. Parallel to his activities as a composer Marc-André Rappaz teaches theory of harmony and music analysis at Geneva Conservatory.
Work list
Impromptu (1985/1998)
Instrumentation: for violoncello
A piece of an easy character without any real technical difficulties.
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
Lamentationes (1985)
Instrumentation: for choir (min: 4.4.4.4)
Texts: Bibel / Liturgie
In its meditative and intimate character this piece is based on the last poem of the lamentations attributed to Jeremiah. The text is in hebrew and sung, spoken or whispered.
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
A walk to Arundel (1985)
Instrumentation: for violin and chamber orchestra (1.1.1.1/2.0.0.0/12.4.4.2)
Piece in one movement with no technical difficulties.
Duration: 8' 00" Manuscript
Taedium Vitae (1986)
Instrumentation: for flute
Based on the monologue "To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, / To the last syllable of recorded time." from Macbeth (Act V, sc. V, 1.19).
Combination of multiphonic sonorities, aeolian sounds, whistle tones, tongue-ram and key percussion.
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Galeries (1987)
Instrumentation: for soprano and ensemble (2.1.1.1./1.1.0.0/perc/hp/3.2.2.1)
Based on the poem ‘Galerie’ in ‘Sources du vent’ by Pierre Reverdy.
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Diptyque (1988/1997)
Instrumentation: for ondes Martenot
Uses the effects of resonance of the Martenot's wave. A short central part allows the interpreter to improvise over twelve notes.
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Mouvement "In the sea-horse valley" (1989-1990)
Instrumentation: for string quartet
‘The sea-horse valley’ is a ‘region’ inside the Mandelbrot fractal (centre: x = -0,753, y = 0,092). Movement of one fast gesture from low to high. The ensemble is situated between piano and pianissimo.
Duration: 3' 00" Manuscript
Réponds "Une antique légende populaire" (1991)
Folkloric tale
Instrumentation: for choir (3.3.3.3) and twelve violins
Texts: Bibel / Liturgie
This tale is based on the prologue and epilogue of the Book of Job. Intended to be played during a service. All the indications are in the score. The words, often whispered and murmured are in different languages. A speaker reads the texts in the local language. The poems in the centre of the book can be added to the presentation, but they are not in the score.
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Soulevés par le vent (1991)
Instrumentation: for mezzo-soprano, string quartet, one percussion, harp and ondes Martenot
Texts: Philippe Jaccottet
Based on 'Fragments soulevés par le vent' from 'Cahier de verdure' by Philippe Jaccottet.
Duration: 15' 00" Manuscript
Trio (1992)
Instrumentation: for two clarinets and bass clarinet
Ruminant and intimate character. Timbral variations and sound combinations.
Duration: 7' 00" Manuscript
Impromptu (1992)
Instrumentation: for violin
A difficult virtuoso piece.
Duration: 6' 00" Manuscript
Mouvement (1992)
Instrumentation: for string quartet
Based on the first poem in 'Gedichte' by Christian Morgenstern. Small parts are spoken and whispered by the musicians.
Duration: 10' 00" Manuscript
Stances sur "La mort de Marie" (1992-1993/2000)
Instrumentation: for two percussion and violin
Based on 'Jamais la mort ne délira / Le noeud dont ta beauté me lie' by Ronsard. The second part is an improvisation over a group of short cells.
Instrumentation: for choir (8.7.7.7), brass ensemble (6tpt.6tbn.1tba) and two percussion
Texts: Bibel / Liturgie
Alternating texts taken from the Book of Habakuk in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German and French.
Duration: 24' 00" Manuscript
Impromptu "Arpa laberíntica" (1993)
Instrumentation: for harp
Based on the poem 'Abajo' in 'Noche' by Federico Garcia Lorca. "El espacio estrellado / se refleja en sonidos. / Lianas espectrales. / Arpa laberíntica." The construction of this piece is based on the compilation of several sound stages of different character.
Duration: 5' 00" Manuscript
Memorandum: Jean B. (1996)
Instrumentation: for orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0/1perc/12.4.3.2)
In one movement. This work is in memory of the french resistance fighter Jean-Marie Bulle.
Duration: 9' 00" Manuscript
Be not afeard... (1996)
Instrumentation: for two percussion incl. one soloist and orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.1.0/20.7.7.3)
Based on "Be not afeard: the isle is full of noises, / Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not." from The Tempest by William Shakespeare (Act III, sc. III, 147). Very important percussion with a very virtuosic solo part.
Duration: 18' 00" Manuscript
"de Dschember Schamblin" (1997)
Instrumentation: for soprano and guitar
Texts: Denise Mützenberg
A piece based on a cycle of poems in Romansch, taken from the cycle 'Dschember Schamblin' by Denise Mützenberg.
Instrumentation: for violin and chamber orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0/1perc/9.3.3.1)
Based on lü-shi "Looking for the taoïste monk Chang from Nan-qi" by the poet Liu Chang-qing (709-785?).
Duration: 11' 00" Manuscript
Haïku (1997)
Poem
Instrumentation: for marimba solo
Based on a haïku by Shiki Masaoka (1867-1902): "The storm / During mid-day / has broken the mallow stalk." and a haïku by Kyoshi Takahama (1854-1959): "A serpent escaped. / Its eyes which were watching me / remained alone in the grass." This piece is built in the classical structure of the haiku. Alternating between rubbing of the bars, gliding of the mallets in the tube and slow / very fast movements. The poems are spoken in Japanese by the marimba player.
Instrumentation: with singers (SBar), actors (min.2) and musicians (1.1.1.1/1.1.1.0/1perc/2.1.1.0)
Texts: William Shakespeare
Musical spectacle for a particular staging: mimes, marionettes or different ways of acting. The text is an adaptation of the translation by Jean-Claude Carrière.
Duration: var. Manuscript
Sonnets (1999)
Instrumentation: for Baritone and chamber orchestra (2.2.2.2/2.2.0.0/perc/16.6.4.3)
Texts: William Shakespeare
Based on the sonnets LIV, XXV, XIX, XXVII, XXVIII and VIII by William Shakespeare.
Duration: 18' 00" Manuscript
Solitude (Une femme chaque nuit voyage en grand secret) (1999)
Instrumentation: for piano
Based on the poem 'L'univers-solitude' from 'La Vie immédiate' by Paul Eluard.
This work is inspired by the promenades and talks in the gardens of Jinan, capital of the chinese province Shandong. This is especially apparent in the pianissimi and the big divisi of the strings and sounds and its alternating impression.