Photo : Henri Martin - Musée de Cahors
Alchemy
Step into a world of sonic refinement where the delicate harp dances effortlessly alongside warm woodwinds and stirring strings. This intimate performance breathes new life into modernist masterpieces, offering a perfect escape for those seeking elegance and technical brilliance. Experience how timeless structures get reinvented through pure musical alchemy.
Conservatoire Municipal Francis Poulenc (Paris 16th)
About
Experience the sonic innovations of the early 20th century at Alchimie, a concert held on Friday, November 20, 2026, at the Conservatoire Municipal Francis Poulenc in Paris. From 19:30 to 20:30, professional musicians will perform works by Ravel, Debussy, and Britten, focusing on the unique role of the harp in chamber music and orchestral arrangements. This event is free to attend, though advance booking via Weezevent is required. The venue is wheelchair accessible and specifically adapted to accommodate guests with cognitive disabilities, ensuring an inclusive evening for all music lovers to enjoy these fascinating new soundscapes.
At the beginning of the 20th century, sound material was the subject of constant research. The "color of sound" became an essential component of works.
Ravel and Debussy, brilliant orchestrators, excelled in the use of the harp in chamber music or in the orchestra. A little later, Britten also explored unprecedented combinations of timbres.
Ancient forms were transfigured by these new sonorities, producing a unique "Alchemy".
Program:
Introduction and Allegro, Maurice Ravel
Phantasy Quartet, Benjamin Britten
Sacred and Profane Dances, Claude Debussy
Le Tombeau de Couperin, Maurice Ravel
Performers:
Pauline Klaus, violin
Marc-Olivier de Nattes, violin
Maud Gastinel, viola
Laure Bécard, cello
Fabienne Lubrano, flute
Lise Gomez, clarinet
Laurent Decker, oboe
Sabine Chefson, harp
Our take on this event
Alchimie invites you to discover the evolution of sound color and timbre that defined early 20th-century music. By blending traditional forms with experimental textures, this concert highlights the masterful orchestration of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Benjamin Britten, with a special emphasis on the harp's evocative capabilities.
The performance takes place on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 19:30 to 20:30 at the Conservatoire Municipal Francis Poulenc. The repertoire features Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro and Le Tombeau de Couperin, Britten’s Phantasy Quartet, and Debussy’s Danses sacrée et profane. These pieces will be performed by a talented ensemble including violinists Pauline Klaus and Marc-Olivier de Nattes, violist Maud Gastinel, cellist Laure Bécard, flutist Fabienne Lubrano, clarinetist Lise Gomez, oboist Laurent Decker, and harpist Sabine Chefson.
Admission is free of charge, but guests must secure their spot by booking through Weezevent. The venue provides full accessibility for wheelchair users and is equipped to welcome individuals with cognitive disabilities.
