London, 2019 

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The French composer Jordane Tumarinson is very discreet about his musical intentions. Since he sees himself as a composer more than anything, he has never performed his pieces in public. In his view, creating music is a medium for communicating with the world. After a first album in 2018—Présence—, Tumarinson releases L’Envol in 2019, through the Italian label Blue Spiral Records. An album that unconsciously answers many of our musical questions, from where the composer comes from, to what his destination is. It is for him a reflection of his step in creating music and an invitation for the listener to meditate on his own purpose in life. 

 

Eau vive–French for Vivid Water—is personified by the pulsating piano pattern that supports the main melody. There is an interesting twist to it, when the harmony brightens up and allows the following piece to fade in swiftly. Réminiscence is a soothing piece after the uplifting introduction to L’Envol; tinted with jazz harmonies, it evolves over time in a very spontaneous manner. Inertie—similary to Réminiscence—evolves through different musical episodes and reaches musical climax through a Romantic phase. A lot shorter, Sur un fil is a sweet ballade, and an opportunity for the composer to showcase his ability at composing short evocative music. There are a few nods to the masters of Impressionism; Rêverie sur la rive, is another calming piece that sounds very French while depicting a pastoral setting. The title piece, L’Envol, is primarily based on a piano pattern; it is structured around a symmetrical binary form that alternates between moments of calm and peak episodes. En attendant la neige—French for While Waiting for the Snow—is a musical glimpse that illustrates both feelings of impatience and excitement. A very interesting piece, Autoportrait illustrates the composer’s personality and reveals several facets of himself, from melancholic ones to lighter ones. En accords—title that describes how the piece is performed—is a very interesting musical moment that reminded me of some of the piano works of Laurence Crane. Another involuntary wink to a musical influence, Solstice reminded me of the contemplative and playful music of Chilly Gonzales, and has some very interesting harmonic decisions, as well as a surprising grand finale.

 

Inspired by nature—which for the composer represents the starting point of everything—, L’Envol is an album in motion; constantly referring to the notions of time, place and action. It is an album full of positivity, and the melancholy that might appear, is only here to provide a glaring contrast. Any musical reference stands out very discreetly and never prevents Tumarinson’s musical voice from expressing itself. It is refreshing to hear music that is both honest and approachable for the listener, with no musical pretentiousness and fluttering. When the composer sits at the piano, he feels free, quiet and peaceful; and this reflects in his music.