Author Archives: Patrisfilius
Yanvalou Ginen
Le rythme “yanvalou” est l’un des rythmes le plus célébré dans notre folklore et dans notre musique. La sensualité et la grâce dégagées dans la danse issue de ce dernier reflètent aussi l’exaltation des mélodies inspirées par les compositeurs et … [more]
First piece for piano
My determination to explore Haitian music and to express with the best of my abilities defines, besides my faith, the reason of my existence down here. Music is a gift I have received from God, my Father, as He anchors … [more]
One of my best musical arrangements
Yep! “Latibonit o” is among the most famous Haitian traditional songs. I originally arranged it for clarinet and piano. But, on this video clip, it is being played by a cellist and a pianist. Enjoy! “Latibonit o” est l’une des … [more]
Divine Origin, a God from God I am
Divine Origin, a God from God I am–100$ This piece lasts about 1 hour 43 minutes with an introduction of 49 bars, and 7 parts 147 bars each with a different tempo and meter for each part. It is a … [more]
Prayer of the faithful
We embrace the beauty, the goodness and the purity of the love of God, our Father, the First Source and Center, who has been living forever in the Central Isle of Paradise. We are not your foot soldiers, my Lord, … [more]
From the “natif” concept
Here are two examples where the “natif” concept is in full effervescence. First, the link to the chart of “Fonde.” Click on the title in red below in order to see the scores. Fonde The “play” button to listen to … [more]
The talent of Makarios Césaire
I had a great privilege to meet with Makarios in 1990. My very longtime friend Rigaud Simon introduced us. It was with great pleasure that he came to the recording sessions of my “Rara Mwe” project produced by Robert Aaron … [more]
Remembering Boulo Valcourt
Boulo Valcourt was one of the most Haitian talented musicians. He happened to be my cousin. We first met when I went to Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, for the official Baccalaureate exam, Part I. We had the French schooling … [more]
Two tracks of konpa music
Imagine this! I just found 2 tracks of Konpa music which I have recorded around 1997: “Aladeriv”–an adaptation of the version released in “Serenade by Gifrants” and “Lanmou Blayi Sou Tchè Mwe” at the time I was leading my band … [more]
Gifrants Konpilasyon Volim I
My latest cd is out! It is a compilation of 17 songs from several albums. Digital versions are available online. But, people can get the physical album only from this site below, or click on the front and back cover … [more]
Article du Nouvelliste le 23 Juillet 2017
Le lien à cet article sur mon parcours en musique: Gifrants et l’âme musicale haïtienne
“Latibonit o” for clarinet and piano
This song is one of the most famous Haitian folk songs. I have arranged it, used it as an example in my book Kantik Natif, Volim I, in order to codify the “natif” concept. It is also one among a … [more]
Writing for a marching band
I have been approached many times regarding arranging or writing for a marching band. I have been very reluctant to do so since I do not believe that we should consider that “rigorous military underlining” for music, specially in our … [more]
Divine Origin–a god from God I am
From the longest piece I have ever written, this 3rd movement is written in 9/4–the telling of my origin and my final destination. A testimony of the ties between God, my Father, and me! Divine Origin, a god from God … [more]
Haitian folk children songs in classical music?
Yes! I have arranged 7 of them for a string quartet–violin, violin, viola, cello. The SRDMH (Société de Recherche et de Diffusion de la Musique Haïtienne) based in Montreal, and Crossing Borders Music Collective in Chicago, have been given the … [more]