LDV103

31 ORCHESTRE NATIONAL DE METZ GRAND EST ∙ DAVID REILAND Betsy Jolas was eighty-nine years old when A Little Summer Suite was premiered in June 2016 by the Berliner Philharmoniker under the direction of Simon Rattle (the orchestra and conductor to whom the work is dedicated). An introductory paragraph on her publisher’s website reveals her approach, inspired by Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition . In the summer suggested by the title, the composer strolls around with no precise object in mind, fixing her attention on unpredictable elements. Seven movements punctuate this seasonal evocation: Strolling away , Knocks and clocks , Strolling about , Shakes and quakes , Strolling under , Chants and cheers , Strolling home . Wandering aimlessly, following no programme: what better way to find oneself? But by freeing her listeners from any explanatory framework, Betsy Jolas also allows them to enjoy her work’s expressiveness to the full.