This tiny piece in two short movements begins with a Prelude consisting of a bass melody over a moving arpeggio with gently clashing open strings placed judiciously along the way for harmonic effect. A little climactic moment occurs three quarters of the way through, leading to a return to the opening idea.
The final movement Danse is in 12/8 and noticeably gigue-like. The opening rhythms do get harder a little way in but things soon return to the opening idea and a sudden Lento coda that finishes on a chordal flourish.
Having been an admirer of Tisserand's music for a good while now, I am happy to report that this little piece is modest in proportions and in its difficulties. Good piece though.
Chris Dumigan (Classical Guitar Magazine)
The afore-mentioned Dr. Cyrloud is the dedicatee of this next piece, and he has made a fine recording of the work. The title required some research to make sense of, as the music clearly has nothing to do with le 40e Régiment d’Artillerie, nor any other militaristic relationship. The cover photo, of clove-studded limes and kumquats, didn’t help much either. It turns out that the title of Armor refers to Armorica, an ancient name for the Brittany region of western France and home to the Celtic tribes of pre-Roman Gaul. The words “Celt,” “Gaul,” and “Galicia” (in northern Spain) all have an etymological relationship to one another.
Tisserand’s composition is in two movements, Prelude and Dance. Both are in the key of E minor, allowing for liberal use of open strings and intentional over-ringing. There is a very strong Celtic flavor to both sections, with the driving 12/8 meter of the Dance sure to set the listener’s toes a-tapping. A rock-solid pulse is mandatory here; this is country dance music of the highest sort— and no wavering of the downbeats please. The Prelude is somewhat more loosely constructed, but here again it is not meant to be an improvisational free for all. Overall a Grade 3-4 level is all that is needed, and a good sense of pulse. – David Norton, Soundboard
