It is natural that Philippe Manoury, the author of a body of exceptional lyrics, allows his dramatic writing to also guide the composition of this concerto.

At first supported by the flute, the sound material gradually densifies to give the true symphonic writing a more and more significant place, but not without creating strong tensions. The equilibrium between forces is therefore seemingly regulated; but the solo instrument, aspiring to a form of “autonomy”, culminates in a furioso scherzo, leaving the two “protagonists” to go to opposite poles of the sound space while the form heads towards its conclusion.

The piece achieves its aim with the growing divergence between the shrill and uncontrollable flute and the disenchanted orchestra, which, in a way, sums up its dramatic profile. The title Saccades, which in French means “jerks” or “jolts”, refers directly to the atmosphere of this finale.

Commissionned by Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, Orquestra Sinfonica do Estado de São Paulo, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Tokyo Opera City Cultural Foundation

World premiere
8, 9 & 10 July 2018,  Gürzenich-Orchester Köln, cond. François Xavier Roth, Emmanuel Pahud (flute),  Kölner Philharmonie, Germany

Other performances
11, 13, 14 & 15 September 2018, Orquestra Sinfonica do Estado de São Paulo, cond. Thierry Fischer, Emmanuel Pahud (flute), Sala São Paulo, Brazil
13 June 2019, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, cond. Peter Rundel, Mario Caroli (flute), Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, Japan

Website of the composer ➡️ http://www.philippemanoury.com/?page_id=13