Estelle Revaz & Anaïs Crestin - Inspiration populaire (2022) [Hi-Res]

Folk music and dance have always been a source of inspiration for art music as they keep in touch with people's souls. Nonetheless, composers' tendency towards a universal musical language has considerably diluted the ethnic character they contain, a phenomenon particularly noteworthy in Europe. In the 18th century, the artistic tendency to emphasize exotic colors and charms arose. Composers began to use foreign folklore to spice up their works with unfamiliar sounds, for example the Rondo alla Turca in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Piano Sonata in A major. At the same time there was also a political increase in nationalism and every country, every ethnic group also strived to to distinguish himself from his neighbors with his own music. This trend is often an expression of the desire for the emancipation of oppressed people. The rules of classical music, until then strictly standardized, now had to integrate the characteristics of melody and rhythm of folk music, be it in tonality, meter or structure. If this emergence of folk inspiration is related to social developments, it may also touch the listener more directly. In addition, composers, sometimes far from home, have the opportunity to remain connected to their cultural roots, as we shall see with Alberto Ginastera. now had to integrate the qualities of melody and rhythm of folk music, be it in tonality, meter or structure. If this emergence of folk inspiration is related to social developments, it may also touch the listener more directly. In addition, composers, sometimes far from home, have the opportunity to remain connected to their cultural roots, as we shall see with Alberto Ginastera. now had to integrate the qualities of melody and rhythm of folk music, be it in tonality, meter or structure. If this emergence of folk inspiration is related to social developments, it may also touch the listener more directly. In addition, composers, sometimes far from home, have the opportunity to remain connected to their cultural roots, as we shall see with Alberto Ginastera.

Estelle Revaz and Anaïs Crestin met in 2012 at the Mendoza International Festival in Argentina. Similar career paths through French and German conservatoires naturally facilitated a relationship, both human and musical. Since then they have performed regularly together in South America and Europe. The "Inspiration populaire" project, realized in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, has further encouraged their creativity and collaboration.