Pascal Bournet
Born in Paris in 1950 in a family of musicians he studies the piano at seven, at twelve he discovers and teaches himself the guitar and has a passion for its electrical side through blues, rock and roll and jazz.
Then he turns to classical guitar and studies under the masters Alberto Ponce, Arnaud Dumond (two Excellence Prizes in National Schools) and Léo Brouwer.
At the same time he plays in jazz clubs, on stage, for television and in recording studios (Stephane Grapelli, Hugues Aufray, Georges Moustaki...) before devoting himself to the creation of his own repertoire (seven records under his name) throughout his own compositions, his arrangements of John Mc Laughlin's and Astor Piazzolla's musics and lately a huge work of harmonisation of the pieces of the Irish bard Turlough O'Carolan.
Through his compositions and his arrangements Pascal Bournet opens up new horizons to the repertoire of the classical guitar and throws an original light on the cultures he encounters during his musical trips.
As a concert artist he is invited by many festivals and embassies, by Radio France, FR3, Mezzo.
He also devotes some of his time to teaching and has published a series of guitar manuals (Van de Velde, Henry Lemoine and Transatlantiques editions).
Reviews
- Solace
- Pascal Bournet Consort
- Mandala/Harmonia Mundi
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A generous, mature and accomplished musician who skillfully masters his instrument and grants music all the space it needs to express itself. An exceptional sound recording.
- Bob Bonastre - Guitarist Acoustic Février 2005
- Solace
- Pascal Bournet Consort
- MAN 5077 - Harmonia Mundi
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Pascal Bournet enchants the day and is in tune with the brilliance of the night. A musician of splendour who kindles sounds. We are in the company of the most and the best.
- Daniel Leduc - February 2004
- The Spirit of Ireland
- Pascal Bournet Consort
- Mandala Man5026
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Pascal Bournet has succeeded admirably in his presentation here of some of Carolan's finest tunes performed by four first-rate musicians who are obviously enjoying themselves with this music.
- Steve Marsh - Septembre 2003
- O'Carolan, the Irish Bard
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A captivating tribute to Turlough O'Carolan, one of the last Irish bards by the guitarist Pascal Bournet. Melancholy and also lively Irish ballads with baroque and traditional echoes.
- Anne-Marie Paquotte
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Pascal Bournet shows great facility reaching true expressiveness.
- Gilles Torjmann
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A true interpretation respects and gives life to the music. That's what Pascal Bournet does in his playing by way of subtle rhythms and vibrant colours just like Baroque musicians.
- Arnaud Dumond
- O'Carolan, the Irish Bard
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In this record, the excellent guitarist Pascal Bournet proposes twenty themes he has arranged and harmonized himself. Delicate melodies on a skilful but discreet harmonization.
- Dominique Le Guichaoua
- Pascal Bournet revisite O'Carolan
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A wonderful CD devoted to O'Carolan's themes Pascal Bournet has arranged and harmonized. A real marvel!
- Pascal Jaugeon
- Concert Festival en Albret 2000
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Besides his talent as an arranger, Pascal Bournet masters the guitar wonderfully well, playing a wide range of varied and subtle sonorities with great skill.
- Jacques Casterede
- Concert à Fontevraud
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A virtuoso who fully masters his instrument and knows how to use its possibilities and transcend its diffculty.
- Cl. Maillard
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A work of great sensibility and expertly done. A great guitarist.
- Claire Moreau
- Concert Festival en Trégor 27/08/2001
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Le public venu très nombreux s'est laissé porter par deux exceptionnels musiciens. Avec grande virtuosité, Pascal Bournet et Benoit Sauvé ont exprimé de la plus belle façon ce répertoire plein de finesse, de couleur et d'originalité.