Fourth in the solo performer and tape cycle, L’Entrevue (The Interview) expands the same theme of solitude. As opposed to the three preceding works where the musician is isolated on stage with a fairly aggressive tape surrounding him with sounds from daily life — various machines, ‘communication’ devices, industrial music — in L’Entrevue, the performer is facing himself: in an intimate approach, the tape is constructed exclusively from the speaking voice of the performer (Joseph Petric). The instrumental part is a mixture of quotes from the English Suite for harpsichord by JS Bach, and of stereotypical melodic and rhythmical phrases taken from the traditional accordion repertoire.

Adopting the form and shape of an interview, the piece explores the timbre and intonation of the speaking voice rather than its content. The recorded voice is punctuated by occasional sounds from the accordion recorded on tape or performed by the musician on stage, acting as a moan, a sigh, a burst of anger, an attempted flight of lyricism or nostalgia, all underlining the dramatic character of the moment, like an anamorphic mirror reflecting the unappeased aspirations of the passionate musician, in search of the absolute, prisoner of an instrument which is closer to a music box than a majestic organ…

[ix-91]

L’Entrevue was realized at the composer’s studio in 1991 and premiered by the accordionist Joseph Petric on April 24, 1991, during a recital produced by ACREQ at the Théâtre Les Loges in Montréal. This piece was commissioned by Joseph Petric and realized with support from the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA).

Premiere

• April 24, 1991, Joseph Petric, accordion • Concert, Théâtre Les Loges, Montréal (Québec)