Illuminations
Chamber Music Palm Beach
Klavier K 11135
Lessard: You owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of this recording. The musicians are exceptional, the composers represented ally boldness, originality and energy, and the recording quality reaches a summit.
     It opens with the Chôros No. 7 by the exuberant Brazilian Heitor Villa-Lobos, he of the inexhaustible musical imagination, written during a visit to his native country. The variety of sounds and rhythms plunge you into an ambience in which vigorous tempos and lyrical effects blend in happy fashion. It opens with an exquisite air for the flute, joined by the plaintive sound of the violin, the warmth of the bassoon, the authority of the French horn, the richness of the cello, and several other instruments including a saxophone...leading to unexpected harmonies from which sensuality is by no means absent. Surprise follows surprise. The flow is so spontaneous it could actually be improvised, but what balance, and what clever architecture! A charming theme returns again and again, for the composer never loses track of the flow.
     Also on the recording is a treasure, the Trio Op. 6 for Flute Bassoon and Viola by the celebrated 20th Century composer, Malcolm Arnold. His worldwide reputation rests to a great extent on his film music, but he also penned several symphonies and other magnificent works. From the first measures of the Allegro ma non troppo, you are transported into a dazzling caper filled with dazzling dissonance, appoggiaturas, decorations of the most surprising sort...glissandos that border on slapstick, ostinatos, sudden stops, syncopated rhythms, a shower of effects of irresistible charm, and especially a group of notes that return again and again like a pleasing leitmotiv, of which you never tire. Will the Andante con moto restore your serenity? A high note from the flute joins the bassoon from its first notes, followed by solid bowing on the viola, in a deep, rich aria. But hold on! The final Allegro comodo takes up once again the lively opening themes, and then ends too soon. You've gone through ten minutes of pure delight. This is Arnold at his best, with combinations of the unusual sounds that were his trademark.
     Do you recognize the name of Emile Paladilhe? You'll have three minutes to appreciate the depth and romanticism of his Danse noble. At the turn of the last century this composer did not get his due, and it is American composer Clark McAlister (whose own Rideau rouge precedes it) that we can hear this forgotten piece, since it is he who rediscovered it. Too short, this piece for violin, alto and cello is so full of warmth, so beautiful, so moving, that I couldn't help mentioning it to you.
     I could of course continue, telling you about Rideau rouge, about André Jolivet's Pastorales, and about Martinù's Nonet, but I think I've said enough to convince you that this CD is a "must."