Alain Louvier: LHydre a Cinq Têtes

French composer, Alain Louvier (b. 1945) studied at the Paris Conservatoire where he won the 1968 Prix de Rome. His L'Hydre À Cinq Têtes makes for an exciting addition to the repertoires of the Horn, Trombone, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet and Bassoon.

As suggested by the title, this Louvier work is influenced by a serpent-like water monster in Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra, who possessed many heads. Louvier's composition is virtousic for all instruments, exploiting extended techniques such as ornamentations, articulations, and breath notes, amongst other elements. With a typical performancelasting around four minutes, Louvier's L'Hydre À Cinq Têtes is perhaps ironic in being adaptable to five different solo instruments; Horn, Trombone, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet or Bassoon, with Piano accompaniment. L'Hydre À Cinq Têtes is a challenging yet inspiring work for advanced players.