Serge Lancen

Pour Raphaele

French pianist and composer, Serge Lancen (1922-2005) studied at the Paris Conservatoire where he won first prize for composition in 1949. His professional career saw him winning many prizes for his compositions and For Raphaele remains popular in the Harp repertoire. As exemplified in For Raphaele, Lancen's compositional style remained attached to the French characteristics, featuring luscious melodies, balance and clarity of tone. With a typical performance lasting about 2 and a half minutes, Pour Raphaele demonstrates the versatility of the Harp, addressing flourishes, dotted rhythms, syncopation and variations in dynamics. For all intermediate harpists, Lancen's For Raphaele is a delightful addition to the instrument's repertoire.