Serge Lancen

Symphonie de Paris

This composition, written in 1973, was commissioned by the French Ministry of Cultural Affairs and is dedicated to Desire Dondeyne who premiered it with the 'Musique des Gardiens de la Paix' at the Paris 'Palais des Congres' on 27 February 1975. The piece was recorded in 1994 by the 'Orchestre d'Harmonie de la Police Nationale' (National Police Band) conducted by Pierre Bigot. Serge Lancen included the following text with the score: 'The Symphonie de Paris is a musical walk through the capital. Once the visitor has arrived, the composition evokes successively: the familiar cheerfulness of the popular quarters, the hustle and bustle of the great boulevards, the mysterious elegance of the Champs Elysees, the poetic charm of the banks of the river Seine, the impressive Notre-Dame cathedral looking in the mirror of the Seine. Then we have the 'Rive Gauche' (Left bank): the young and dynamic 'Latin Quarter', 'Saint-Germain-des-Pres' an ideal place to stroll. The walk ends near the Eiffel Tower and during the ascension we really discover Paris with its monuments, its avenues, the meanders of the Seine. Finally we enjoy the unique sight of the entire city perspective.'