Armand Marsick (Sept. 20, 1877 - April 30, 1959) was a Belgian conductor, composer, violinist, musicologist, and professor. He began his musical studies with his father, Louis Marsick, and then composition at the Liege Conservatory at only ten years old, then the  Nancy Conservatory,  and eventually studied with Vincent d'Indy in Paris.

While studying with d'Indy, Marsick was also a first violinist at the Concerts Colonne, and at the Opera-Comique. This time period, in the early 1900s, was very productive for Marsick, in terms of composition. He wrote works for violin, cello, and orchestral works too, including La Source, in 1912.

La Source is a symphonic poem, about a spring on a summer night. It starts off with a bouncy melody in the winds while the strings trill and tremolo creating a magical-sounding backdrop to the adventure going on in the water. Just a minute into the work, the strings come through with a theme that seems to signify the waters are indeed churning; the brass then repeat this theme.  There's a feeling of agitation in this section, but it then returns briefly to the initial cheerful theme, though with a bit more drama behind it. Occasionally some harmonies are reminiscent of Debussy's La Mer, written only a few years  before. There's a overall sense of journey and adventure in this symphonic poem; soaring strings, interesting tonalities, and strong melodic lines are abundant in this (sadly) obscure work.

Here is a recording of this piece for you to enjoy!

Lorraine Philharmonic Orchestra