A French composer born July 5, 1959.
A violinist by training, Alain Besson studied at the Lyons Conservatory. A pupil of Yvette Grimaud, Christian Accaoui and Robert Pascal, he was deeply marked by Raffi Ourgandjian, whose disciple he became.
His music stands within traditions both close and distant: those of the great currents of 20th century music (Webern, Debussy, Messiaen), yet also those of early and traditional music.
Besson composes readily for the voice, one of his favourite domains, taking inspiration from poetry, literary and philosophical references: Ein Hauch um nichts for clarinetist singer to a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke (1995), Jeux for female chorus (2006), Trois poèmes de Pierre Reverdy for soprano and flute (2015). He is interested in rhythmics, develops the superimposition of metre (Gong for flute and piano, 2002) and regularly collaborates with his performers, notably in order to deepen and extend playing techniques within a virtuoso dimension: Écrits sur le souffle for bass flute and reciter (2012), Le feu aux poudres, ‘cross opera’ for 5 musicians, commissioned by Concert Impromptu (2016).
Deeply interested in transmission, Alain Besson teaches analysis, harmony and counterpoint at the Cergy-Pontoise Conservatory. He has received many commissions from the French State for teaching works: Les abeilles for children’s chorus and 2 flautists (1989), Pièce pour orchestre (1992), Voyelles for children’s chorus (1992), Ricercare for 5 trombones (1993), Histoires for children’s chorus, organ and violin (2010).
