An Analysis
by Dominique Fanal, Principal Conductor of Sinfonietta de Paris
The symphony is subtitled "Once upon a time in Paris" in homage to a time when the human-made environment was in harmony with the natural environment as represented in early 20th century music and the arts in general.
About twenty minutes fully symphonic work that unfolds in four phases brings together a full orchestra of the strings, woodwinds and brass in pairs as well as a tuba, a harp and an important percussion.
The first movement starts with a beautiful undulation of the strings, snippets of woodwind themes, clarinet vocalizations that quickly clarify themselves like a great litany against a background of harp chords, playing on the superposition of binary and ternary elements. Then a vigorous accelerando, mainly featuring cellos and harp, leads to a grandiose and slower peroration, which favours bass strings, horns, trombones and glockenspiel...
This is followed by a movement opening with a persistent rhythm (reminiscent of Ravel, as the composer intentionally wanted to pay tribute to the music of the early 20th century) revealing (like a theme of Bolero) a haunting and nostalgic phrase of the cor anglais, which will gradually take possession of the whole orchestra, and ignite into an intense lyrical richness, with, at times, a clever polyphony. As in some music written in the past for the cinema, there is a very Parisian atmosphere with certain poetry. The young composer says, with this theme, he depicts a man feeling sad and helpless in the face of the current state of the world, who regretfully yearns for the "good old days". The orchestra sometimes deploys a mystifying sound of accordion. A virtuoso central episode (spider-like and sparkling speech of the soloist-strings and orchestra woodwinds) leads to the return of the initial plaintive theme, and the movement closes in a desolate climate...
The third movement is spectacular, brilliant and very original with its "fairground glow" and with iridescent harp and glockenspiel. According to the composer, this movement represents awakening, consciousness and joy.
A very brief finale, with its virtuoso and bold trumpets, its obstinate chords of strings, and its final theme evoking the first movement, is an expressive and powerful closing. The composer affirms that this end is "suspended", does not end on a tonic, “since there is still too much to do, and that the threats of ignorance and unconsciousness persist” ...
REcENT EngagementS
Since graduating from the Paris Conservatoire in June 2024, Bartu has performed as a soloist and conducted orchestras in 21 concerts across France, including at the 51st Les Arcs Festival, as well as in Spain, all within just 1.5 months. Moreover, he was selected as one of five violinists for the Académie Musicale Philippe Jaroussky as a Young Talent, which includes masterclasses with Nemanja Radulović and concerts at La Seine Musicale, an iconic concert venue and architectural landmark located on the Seine River in Paris.
During the last two years, Bartu has played in professional and benefit concerts in various European countries, including Belgium, Austria, and Italy. He also co-organized a violin-piano benefit recital for UNICEF with the Paris-based Jeunes Talents under the High Patronage of President Macron. Following his UNICEF concert, Bartu was interviewed by Maggie Ayre of BBC Radio 4 and performed for her award-winning series 'Soul Music’.
In April 2024, Bartu performed in Suriname, one of the world’s three carbon-negative countries, which is suffering dramatically from climate change. His concert was organized under the patronage of the French Ambassador, reflecting Bartu’s roles for the European Climate Pact and UNICEF. He also delivered masterclasses for a group of string players aged 11 to 60, gave media interviews and performances, and engaged in other activities. These events marked the first step of a series based on Bartu’s research at the Paris Conservatoire, which included comprehensive desk and fieldwork (with over 350 questionnaires answered by participants from 38 countries and interviews with field specialists). This research explored innovative ways of raising awareness and calling for action on environmental challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration.
Some other notable performances and events include the Gala Concert of the Triomphe de l’Art Competition at the Musical Instrument Museum in Brussels where he won the Grand Prix, as well as a concert as a conductor and soloist with the National Musique des Gardiens de la Paix Orchestra, a concert at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs organized by the French National Commission for UNESCO, a performance at the Teatro di Marcello in Rome, chamber music concerts in Vienna organized by MdW, and the Centenary Festival of American Fontainebleau Schools of Art, which included an ensemble concert with Martha Argerich. One of Bartu's performances in Fontainebleau was featured on WQXR's Young Artists Showcase hosted by Midge Woolsey.