Born in 1973, Pascal Descamps has always been immersed in music. Whether composing a mass, playing the piano, singing opera or pop music, his talents know no stylistic boundaries.
As a music student, Pascal gained numerous prizes including chamber music, singing, music history and encompassing many genres. As a pianist, he has won numerous awards, including the prestigious national Madeleine de Valmalète Competition. As a young adult, he enlisted in the French National Army as accompanist of the French Army Choir. On returning to civilian life, he taught music history at university. However, having decided not to pursue his career as a teacher, he turned to music-making, live performance and composition.
He sings regularly at the Saint-Etienne Opera House, he also coaches opera singers and is a highly respected accompanist and choirmaster. Currently, however, he is much more in demand as a composer.
Pascal's musical style is based upon three essential ingredients: the richness of his melodies, the refinement of the harmony, and - above all - , the emotional power of the ensemble, in which voices, whether soloists or part of the choral architecture, play a critical role.
Pascal Descamps is undoubtedly a composer of the 21st century. The variety of the musical references in his work contributes to the richness of his personal style and aesthetics. Furthermore, he is convinced that music should convey universal emotions and be constantly in touch with public audiences.
Both passionate and prolific, he initiated a cycle of sacred music in 2011, by creating and conducting a mass called Rivages, followed by settings of the texts of Pater Noster, Ave Maria and Ave Verum Corpus to much critical acclaim. Public performances of all these works were met with resounding success. His Requiem was composed during the summer 2013 and it premièred in Paris at the prestigious Invalides on 23rd October 2014. The spellbinding lyricism of this piece constitutes a real orchestral showcase, which serves brilliantly the expressiveness of the choir and soloists.
Pascal is thrilled that his music has been performed by exceptionally talented and dedicated friends. Their skill and understanding have ensured that the intentions of his compositions have been realised fully and to such acclaim. He has recently been commissioned to set music to three poems (Poèmes étoilés) to celebrate the inscription to the Unesco World Heritage of the Firminy Le Corbusier architectural complex in November 2016.
Always inspired by new challenges and having already composed approximately three-dozen songs, Pascal Descamps is currently working on various projects including Odissey, a large symphonic fresco for soloists, chorus and orchestra, and a musical to be performed in 2017. In addition to the above genres, he has also composed numerous tunes, melodies and themes, which would be entirely suitable for development into new artistic plans in the field of film music in collaboration with production studios and film directors.
His music is published by Salabert / Universal Classical Music.
Translation: Alain Koenig & Jeff Kelly