Composer: Charles Koechlin, Henri Constant Gabriel Pierné
Performer: Mats Lidström, Bengt Forsberg
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDA66979
Release: 1998
Size: 205 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Pierné: Sonata for cello and piano in F sharp minor, Op 46
01. I. Lent
02. II. Animez très peu – Calme
03. III. I Tempo (Mouvet. de début)
04. IV. Animé
Koechlin: Sonata for cello and piano, Op 66
05. I. Très modéré
06. II. Andante quasi adagio
07. III. Final: Allegro non troppo
Koechlin: Chansons bretonnes sur d’anciennes chansons populaires, Op 115
08. Book 1 No 1. La Prophétie de Gwene’hlan
09. Book 1 No 2. Le Seigneur Nann et la Fée
10. Book 1 No 3. Le Vin des Gaulois
11. Book 1 No 4. Azénor-la-Pâle
12. Book 1 No 5. Les laboureurs
13. Book 1 No 6. Saint-Eflam et le Roi Arthur
14. Book 2 No 1. Les trois Moines rouges
15. Book 2 No 2. Alain-le-Renard
16. Book 2 No 3. Le baron Jaouioz
17. Book 2 No 4. Notre-Dame du Folgoat
18. Book 2 No 5. Iannik Skolan
19. Book 2 No 6. La Ceinture de Noces
Mats Lidstrm writes: ‘Of all the divine French cello sonatas, only the Debussy from 1915 is heard live today. But getting to know Piern’s puts French cello music in a new perspective. His Sonata is absolutely loaded with beautiful material and, as far as cello writing goes, Piern knew no limits. The fast middle section starts out strict, however hinting desire. Build-up upon build-up become frustrating, and yet, sensual. The more he wants the thicker the chords, the bigger the shifts. It’s all terribly exciting, but the expression is serious. The slow section from the beginning returns with intensified beauty, even managing to climax before ending peacefully in that wonderful key he picked, F sharp minor. ‘After playing the last note of our first performance of Koechlin’s Sonata, I turned to Bengt and saw him look as fulfilled as I felt. I’ll never forget it, because the feeling was very special. A kind of spiritual fulfilment, like when having encountered something totally honest. ‘The Chansons Bretonnes are inspired by folklore from the middle ages: King Arthur, Crusades, Druids ‘