Prélude aux paysages urbains

Francis Battah is a Québécois composer and pianist with a strong affinity for pianistic writing.

The Héritage Beethoven composition competition offered him an opportunity to return to creating for ensemble and orchestra, reconnecting him with a broader approach to composition.

Having practiced jazz piano for several years, his creative process remains influenced by it, as he places significant importance on improvisation to generate ideas. He continues to cultivate creative freedom and a deeply personal exploration of musical concepts.

Prélude aux paysages urbains serves as a modern response to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, the Pastoral. While Beethoven painted a pastoral world imbued with serenity, Francis offers an urban counterpoint, evoking the frenzy and dynamism of contemporary cities. His piece recreates a balance between absolute music and program music, capturing the pulse of the urban landscape and seeking to express the emotions conveyed by that scene rather than aiming for a purely descriptive portrayal.

The composition offers a subtle and respectful nod to Beethoven’s Pastoral, reusing the opening theme of its first movement, reinterpreted with fresh rhythmic energy.