Les Parcs de Paris, for solo horn
by Marty Robinson
$12
Les Parcs de Paris (The Parks of Paris) (1999) is a work inspired by the beautiful green areas in Paris and the manner in which Parisians take to their gardens and parks. These eight miniatures for solo horn were conceived as “postcards from Paris” in an emotional and nostalgic fashion, and are not intended as universal musical depictions of the parks; therefore, while Mussorgsky’s “Tuileries” from Pictures at an Exhibition can represent the dancing lightness of the flowers and children playing at the gardens, mine suggests the peaceful sleepiness I felt, brought on by a long day spent at the nearby Louvre.
The elegant Luxembourg Gardens were always filled with children of all ages. While on a walk through the Ranelagh Gardens (near a Monet museum), a game of bocci ball provided whimsical sights and sounds. At the stately Place des Vosges, a strolling violinist wowed me with his virtuosic technique. The Champ de Mars was remarkable for the contradiction of its vast openness right next to the powerfully compact Eiffel Tower. The Parc de Bagatelle, normally abounding with flowers, was a bit scraggly and thorny for my out-of-season twilight visit, and the Parc Monceau evokes romantic memories for my wife and me. The quintessential green space called the Woods of Boulogne was a delightfully playful park that brings to mind images of family gatherings, childlike games, a lazy boat ride, and ample room simply to relax as a Parisian would.
The elegant Luxembourg Gardens were always filled with children of all ages. While on a walk through the Ranelagh Gardens (near a Monet museum), a game of bocci ball provided whimsical sights and sounds. At the stately Place des Vosges, a strolling violinist wowed me with his virtuosic technique. The Champ de Mars was remarkable for the contradiction of its vast openness right next to the powerfully compact Eiffel Tower. The Parc de Bagatelle, normally abounding with flowers, was a bit scraggly and thorny for my out-of-season twilight visit, and the Parc Monceau evokes romantic memories for my wife and me. The quintessential green space called the Woods of Boulogne was a delightfully playful park that brings to mind images of family gatherings, childlike games, a lazy boat ride, and ample room simply to relax as a Parisian would.