"Tea with Debussy & Pärt in Casablanca" is a musical dream that bloomed during my vacation in Havana, Cuba. Inspired by classical masterpieces from Arvo Pärt and Claude Debussy, I envisioned an imaginary encounter with these esteemed composers in Casablanca, over Moroccan tea.

This piece is not an imitation of their styles but rather a heartfelt conversation between us. It embodies the essence of typical conversations in Morocco, where we all speak at the same time, meandering from topic to topic, and experiencing numerous changes of atmospheres, tempi, textures, and fragments of thematic material.

It begins with minimalist touches, a nod to Pärt's recent works, where the piano introduces serene arpeggios, intertwining with heartfelt viola melodies. As we delve into our tea time, I incorporate some of Debussy's harmonic vocabulary. 

Throughout our harmonious dialogue, the piece mirrors the dynamic nature of conversations in Morocco. We experience moments of collective excitement, where the music swells with vibrant textures and lively tempi, as if everyone is speaking at once. Themes and motifs emerge and intertwine, mirroring the meandering nature of our discussion as we navigate from one topic to another.

As our musical journey unfolds, our collaboration celebrates cultural fusion, weaving together Pärt, Debussy, and my artistic zest. Each voice contributes to the narrative, inviting moments of wonder and contemplation through our shared inspirations.

Tea with Debussy and Pärt in Casablanca for Clarinet in A and Piano Virtual Pre-Release Version

Simon Alami is a Canadian composer with a passion for blending different musical styles and traditions. He draws inspiration from master composers such as Ravel, Debussy, Bartok, Takemitsu, Stravinsky and others. Simon's compositional style is characterized by a fusion of diverse elements and a willingness to experiment with new forms of expression. Despite his job as a Manager at Hydro-Quebec, Simon dedicates his time to pursue his art and passion for classical music composition. He currently lives in Montreal, Canada and is a proud member of the Canadian League of Composers (CLC), Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (GMMQ) and SOCAN.

Simon will be participating in the 5th edition of the Mostly Modern Festival at Saratoga Springs, NY June 2024

Tea with Debussy and Pärt in Casablanca for Clarinet in A and Piano Virtual Pre-Release Version

Simon Alami Composer