Georges Raillard was born in Basel, Switzerland in 1957, where he completed his education, culminating in studying foreign languages at the University of Basel. From 1983 to 2001 he resided in Madrid, Spain, where he worked as a language teacher, translator, and writer. From 2001 to 2019 he worked as a writer, composer, translator, and archivist, mainly in Basel. Returning to Madrid in 2019, he has since been focusing on his artistic endeavors.

From 1973 to 1978 he undertook private classical guitar and composition tuition with Elfin F. Vogel. Since 1974 he has composed more than 60 pieces for the guitar, some of which can be found on his website. His composition Disintegration, released on the Navona Records compilation PATTERNS (2019), won second prize at the Festival Claxica 2010 composition competition in Castel d’Aiano, Italy. In 2016 his composition Sinking Islands was included on the Navona compilation BETWEEN THE ECHOES. Then, in 2017, he released the album BUTTERFLIES IN THE LABYRINTH OF SILENCE, also on Navona.

He has written short stories, articles, and reviews in German magazine articles and anthologies in German-speaking countries, as well as six short-story books.

News

July 11, 2022

The Inside Story: Georges Raillard and FADING SOUNDS

August 14, 2019

The Inside Story: Georges Raillard and PATTERNS

Albums

Fading Sounds

Release Date: May 27, 2022
Catalog Number: NV6426
21st Century
Solo Instrumental
Guitar
On FADING SOUNDS, composer Georges Raillard turns a creative eye towards the simple wonders of the world with a deep appreciation for the fleetingness of each moment. The aptly titled album presents 10 works for solo guitar, each of which take full advantage of the instrument’s tone and timbre. As the pieces conjure images and memories of landscapes, experiences, and thoughts, every cheerful chord, harmonic passage, and lyrical progression inevitably ends with a haunting resonance that leaves the ear wanting more. The compositions are dexterously played by guitarist David William Ross, whose gentle confidence on the instrument lets Raillard’s musical ideas ring out with clarity and precision.

Patterns

Release Date: August 9, 2019
Catalog Number: NV6243
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Cello
Guitar
Percussion
PATTERNS, a multi-composer compilation of contemporary chamber music, accentuates the richness, intricacy, and minimal sound that can be found in works written for small ensembles. Included on the album are works by seven composers, each offering a distinct interpretation of what defines the genre.

Butterflies in the Labrynth of Silence

Release Date: January 13, 2017
Catalog Number: NV6071
21st Century
Solo Instrumental
Guitar
In his second project with PARMA Recordings, Swiss composer Georges Raillard gifts us with 12 solo classical guitar compositions on BUTTERFLIES IN THE LABYRINTH OF SILENCE, all performed by renowned guitarist David William Ross.

The album follows the Sinking Islands suite, Raillard’s first project with PARMA Recordings, which appeared on BETWEEN THE ECHOES, a Navona Records compilation album featuring chamber works.

Between The Echoes

Release Date: September 9, 2016
Catalog Number: NV6057
21st Century
Chamber
Solo Instrumental
Guitar
Wind Ensemble
Navona’s latest compilation release, BETWEEN THE ECHOES, showcases selected recent chamber works, expressing the common theme of recollections and interpretations of past experiences. Moving across the spectrums of moods and dramatics, each piece brings a harmonic resolution to its soulful journey. This album joins multiple personalities in a collection of propulsive musical expression.