Marc Beziat, composer

Who or what have been the most significant influences on your musical life and career as a composer?

All my music came through inspiration, so my main influence is Inspiration Herself (or Itself) ! That said, there are many pieces of music that I love to listen to, not only in classical music, but most of them outside of it. In the classical, I could name easily Bach, Beethoven and Vivaldi, as well as Howard Shore. Outside of the classical, there are so many : Queen, Muse, Daniel Balavoine, Enya, Metallica and many more. If I were to sit for about ten or fifteen minutes thinking about them, I think I could come up easily with 4 or 5 other names in the classical genre, and 10, 15 or 20 in the other genres, so this was a non exhaustive list !…

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?

I wasn’t born in the music world, and music became my life at the age of 28. I suppose to have to always learn new things (lots of them !) and to accept the changes. To let go of what I seemed to have, to gain something more permanent. Listening to the Inner voice always proves to be the best choice, but when it happens (at least in my case and for many other people), you have to unlearn the false to live the True. It can lead to a roller-coaster and very high intensity experiences (some incredibly beautiful and beyond words, but some very difficult too). But anyway, always trust the Inner voice, and whatever the outside may appear to be, you will be led in a way that is right for you, in harmony with you.

What are the special challenges/pleasures of working with particular musicians, singers, ensembles or orchestras?

When I released my two albums and two singles, between 2008 and 2010, they were all in VST forms. At the beginning of 2024, I had the immense joy of seeing some of my compositions expressed by full Choir and Orchestra. The Czech Studio Orchestra was conducted by Mikel Toms and the Choir, Vox Pragae, was conducted by Miriam Němcová. There has been a beautiful review which was written, very touching for me, about “The Star of Peace”, one of the compositions of the EP. The Star of Peace – Single I name this review, because it includes something very beautiful about the collaboration of artists, and in this case, about our collaboration. Here is the excerpt: “Captured in the prestigious Smecky Music Studios in Prague, the song effortlessly blends the weight of tradition with the modernity of classical music. Leading this musical journey were two of the most exceptional conductors of our time, Mikel Toms and Miriam Němcová. Leading the Czech Studio Orchestra and Vox Pragae Choir added a profoundly moving aspect to the EP. Their partnership with Béziat was like a merging of musical streams, each bringing their distinctive elements to form a cohesive harmony.”

I think it summarizes it without too much need of adding anything else. Where people connect well to the vibration of the music, it’s always beautiful!

Should you feel like reading the whole review, you can find it here

Of which works are you most proud?

I cannot answer the question, because I deeply love each and every one of those works. They were not an invention of my intellect, they came through Inspiration. “Proud” is not the word, I would say that I am grateful to have been able to live and witness what I have lived and witnessed, and what I continue to live and witness, albeit in a different form now.

How would you characterise your compositional language?

My work is classical inspirational. It’s choral and orchestral. There are strong melodic lines, and it has been said about it that it has beautiful counterpoint and rich harmonies. Out of the 27 compositions forming the two albums and two singles, 17 are choral and orchestral and 10 are orchestral.

How do you work?

I always write the totality of the main melodic line first. After that, I write the harmony and / or counterpoint along with the orchestration.

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

To have been able to express fully what was given me to express.

What advice would you give to young/aspiring composers?

This I would give not only to aspiring composers, but to anyone who would ask me: be governed from within, and let this governance build your life. You are not governed from the ‘without’ unless you believe it and accept it to be. Again, be governed from the within, and watch it organize your life, your activity, your relations, everything ! Have no preconceived ideas to what you should do, or when, or how. Let It govern you ! Let You govern you. Follow your inspiration. Have many periods of silence, rest and tranquillity.

What is your present state of mind?

I am at peace, and grateful and joyful to be able to see the music spread…

Marc Beziat’s EP Prague 2024 Session is out now. Find out more