The work of François Morel, an eminent composer on the Quebec musical scene (1926-2018), is rich with major creations, but also with moments of tenderness immortalized by music. La Berceuse pour Constance (Lullaby for Constance) belongs to this latter category, stemming from a moment in family life.
As revealed by his son, Sylvain Morel, this piece was inspired by his granddaughter, Constance. While Sylvain was living in Montreal and visiting his parents in Quebec City around 1992, young Constance, still a child, was having difficulty falling asleep away from her own room. It was in response to this need for comfort and familiarity that François Morel had the idea to compose a lullaby specifically for her.
Initially played by the composer himself, the piece was recorded by Davis Joachim in 1997 on the ATMA label, thus ensuring the enduring legacy of this personal and delicate work. A new recording, by Bruno Gauthier-Bellerose, was released in 2026 under the Doberman Musique label.
Berceuse pour Constance illustrates François Morel's capacity to transpose the intimacy of daily life into a universal musical expression, offering a moving insight into the emotional bond uniting the composer with his family.
