Marcel Tournier (1879–1951) was a celebrated harpist–composer who contributed generously to the harp repertoire. It is clear that Tournier was a master of his instrument and he makes much of the harp’s unique vocabulary. In the charming song La lettre du jardinier he sets words by Henry Bataille in a letter of gentle seduction: he describes the garden full of flowers and beauty—all waiting for Mademoiselle to return to complete their joy, ‘for the garden without you’ is like ‘a tree with no nest’. This is in some senses the most Romantic work in this programme, and Tournier allows the harp lush harmonies and an abundance of notes, worthy of a verdant garden.

from notes by Alison Nicholls © 2008