Classical Improvisations

On this CD:

1. Classical Improvisations (10) on January 4, 1998, for piano
Composed by Nicholas McNair
Performed by Nicholas McNair

Editorial Reviews
The composer's son in a letter written after the performance
"Finally, but for me in no way less important than the film itself, I "drank in" that wonderful, perfect, expressive musical accompaniment in which pianist Nicholas McNair knew how not only to make use of and develop my father's themes but also to adapt them precisely to what was being portrayed on the screen. Throughout the film I sat captivated, but also profoundly moved, because in that person at the piano I was seeing and hearing my own father, imagining him living again in those films he had scored."

From the Label
An example of what you will find in these improvisations is contained in this review of Mr. McNair's improvisations in accompaniment to the film Amor de Perdicao (1921) on the 100th anniversary of the Cinema. The original score which has partially survived was by the composer Armando Leca, who himself played the piano and improvised for large sections of the film. Mr. McNair improvised for the entire 3 hours of the film, using some themes from the original score where it was practical.

Classical Improvisations

Tracks:

Cantiga De Amigo V: Quantas Sabedes Amare
Nastaran
Noumui, Noumi Yaladatii
Variations Sur O Sonjal
La Canco Del Lladre
Romanesca & Pasamezzo
La Salve
Paxarico Tu Te Llamas
Apo Xeno Meros
Ghazali Tal Jahri
Durme, Hermosa Donzella
Tarantela D'apres
Jaroslaw
Canarios
Fantasiant
Muzettes I-II (IV.28.29)
El Cant Dels Aucells
Diferencias Sobre La Guaracha
Sentirete Una Canzonetta

Customer Reviews:

Savall family extravaganza.......2006-01-27

Jordi Savall and Montserrat Figueras are the two giants in the Catalan early music scene. On this album they enlist the help of percussionist Pedro Estevan and their two children to produce some truly exceptional music. Jordi Savall, the most famous family member, almost fades into the background, although he is obviously the rock that anchors the album. His playing is superb, and it seems as though it was most likely him who chose the excellent repertoire. Figueras, like wine, is only improving with age. Also like wine, however, she's a bit of an acquired taste; I am a huge fan of straight tone singing and even I took a while to get used to her bizarre, raw sound. It's worth it, however, as she is one of the most intriguing singers of this era.

Daughter Arianna is a world-class artist in her own right. Like her father, she is multi-talented; she sings, plays the harp, and composes (her contribution to this album, "La Salve," is beautiful and affecting, but some of the selections on her own solo album "Bella Terra" are far superior). Like her mother, her voice is haunting and beautiful, more polished than the elder woman but slightly less interesting. She sounds particularly lovely in the background of the first track. Ferran Savall also lends his voice to the album, although his singing is far less classical sounding, which may be a plus to some listeners. "Noumi, Noumi, Yaladatii," which Figueras has previously recorded as a solo, includes a vocalise from Ferran astonishing in its power, although his one solo on this album, "La Canco Del Lladre," is the least impressive track, as his voice can be irritating after a while and the song itself is repetitive and overlong.

The instrumental tracks are universally excellent. Jordi Savall is one of the world's best viola da gamba players and this album proves that he is still at the top of his game. Arianna's virtuosic harp solo is one of the album's highlights; her playing is less restrained and more visceral than most harpists. Pedro Estevan seems to have very little to do, but a little goes a long way with this music.

I sincerely hope that this will not be the last album to feature the Savall-Figueras family together. These five musicians have produced an album of surreal beauty, not to be missed.

Average customer rating:

A classic collection reborn
Remembering George Harrison Memorial Concert
Ravi Shankar's Improvisations: Timeless Despite Its Age
Great

Improvisations
Ravi Shankar , Paul Horn , and Bud Shank
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000ID4F
Release Date: 1999-04-06

Tracks:

Improvisations On The Theme Music From Pather Panchali
Fire Night
Karnataki
Raga Rageshri: Part 1 (Alap)
Raga Rageshri: Part 2 (Jor)
Raga Rageshri: Part 3 (Gat)

Customer Reviews:

A classic collection reborn.......2007-04-12

I still have my worn copy of the original (1962) LP of this collection; the CD is it's equal in all respects for sound quality and liner notes. The collection is remarkable for combining the talents of Shankar with the flute artistry of Bud Shank in the improvisation on the themes of the Pather Panchali film score, resulting in a beautiful and emotionally moving fusion. The equally fusion 'Fire Night' jam session brings together the fires in LA valley, that happened during the recording session, with the dance of Shiva the Destroyer in a rather spookily merry piece.
The remaining two traditional pieces are a bonus, showing Shankar's talent at his peak.
A must-have collection at a bargain price!

Remembering George Harrison Memorial Concert.......2007-01-21

I bought this product in hopes of hearing a version of music similar to a combined presentation that Mr. Ravi Shankar and his Daughter conducted. They worked well together and the music was very enjoyable. In the subject presentation, Ravi Shakar's Daughter played her Satir in combination with another artist. Again enjoyable. This work (Improvisations)must be for the true Raga Music Lovers. The evaluation of an Amazon Customer swayed me into buying this product. I have had a difficult time being able to listen to it. It is not of the same type of use of the Sitar as the Beattles used it. I am told that Mr. Shakar gave a less than kind evaluation of the Beattles use of this instrument. If you are like me you will have to develope an ear and a liking for this original works.

Ravi Shankar's Improvisations: Timeless Despite Its Age.......2001-01-22

Shankar's Improvisations puts tradition alongside fusion, East next to West. Recorded about 35 years ago, the album still sounds fresh. It opens with a sitar/flute call-and-answer, leaps into an electric guitar-supported jazz piece, moves to a short and quick sitar showcase, and wraps up with a 20-minute traditional raga. From the very first note, the raga proves exceptionally evocative. The entire album is well-suited to Western tastes, featuring Shankar at his best both as a composer and as a virtuoso.

Great.......2000-07-07

Pandit Ravi Sankar is welknown for his Sitar but this album is really nice and its very relaxing and real classical.

Average customer rating:

BAGATELLES SPIRITUELLES
A Delight

Poulenc: Piano Works

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Ravel: Piano Works
Franck: Quintet in Fm; Chausson: String quartet in Cm

ASIN: B0000C24I5
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

Preambule
I. Le Comble De La Distinction
II. Le Coeur Sur La Main
III. La Desinvolture Et La Discretion
IV. La Suite Dans Les Idees
V. Le Charme Enjoleur
VI. Le Contentement De Soi
VII. Le Gout Du Malheur
VIII. L'Alerte Vieillesse
Cadence
Final
I. C Major
II. B Flat Minor
III. E Minor
Pastourelle
I. Assez Modere
II. Tres Modere
III. Alerte
Valse
No. 1 In B Minor
No. 2 In A Flat Major
No.3 In B Minor
No. 6 In B Flat Major
No. 7 In C Major
No. 8 In A Minor
No. 12 In E Flat Major 'Hommage A Schubert'
No. 13 In A Minor
No. 15 In C Minor 'Hommage A Edith Piaf'
I. Pastorale
II. Hymne
III. Toccata

Customer Reviews:

BAGATELLES SPIRITUELLES.......2006-05-17

This disc won a Gramophone award in 1988, the citation praising in particular the `tenderness and sensitivity' of the performances. That seems fair to me. I would not call the playing here any exhibition of ultimate refinement in the manner of Michelangeli or of Gould, but this is not music that requires anything of that kind.

The 31 pieces here are very unpretentious. Only one lasts longer than four minutes, and nearly half of them clock out after less than two. The harmony is almost entirely tonal (after some Stravinskyish assertiveness at the start of the very first number), and most of the recital consists of items that seem to have started life as improvisations. Nine numbers go by that title explicitly, and if they don't seem to be one's normal idea of improvisation, having more thematic content than I for one would have expected, that may simply reflect the fact that Poulenc was an outstandingly gifted improviser. The suite Soirees de Nazelles with which Roge opens the recital is reported to have originated in pieces that he improvised at some kind of informal Schubertiads during his residency there, and they also have more substance than show about them.

The sense of improvisation is strengthened in the Nazelles suite by what sounds to me like an unmistakable allusion in the Preamble and again in the Cadence to Bach's Chromatic Fantasia, itself highly improvisatory in manner. Allusiveness in general is another strong characteristic of these works. There is an explicit Homage to Schubert and another to Edith Piaf, for instance. Poulenc was closely associated with Stravinsky, and while I can't hear much of Stravinsky in the three `perpetual motion' works as the liner-note writer tells me I should, I hear him loud and clear in the Preamble to the Nazelles suite. Nor do I think it unduly speculative to detect the influence of Schumann in the finale to the same suite, and while the attractive melody of the Valse may of course be Poulenc's own something leads me to doubt it.

Above all what these miniatures recall to me is Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words. This is not a matter of specific allusions or of the musical idiom, it's just a matter of the overall impression created. They show the same kind of variety and resourcefulness within a fairly restricted range of expression, and the harmonisation is also, with a couple of exceptions, cautious and unadventurous as Mendelssohn's tended to be - there is no experimentation in the manner of Faure, still less that of Debussy or Ravel. For all that, these works have real character and personality, and they are thoroughly agreeable and companionable, even striking a distinctly deeper note in the Pastorale from the Three Pieces. The `variations' in the Nazelles suite are not variations as Franck or Bizet (or any of the German masters) used that expression, more a little collection of miniature tone-poems, and you may be relieved to learn that the three `perpetual-motion' works are hardly that at all - one toccata is quite enough for me. I would rather not get into the topic of the Satie-style names for the `variations', an issue for which `tiresome' would be a restrained characterisation.

Roge's playing suits the music very well. The first `improvisation' and of course the toccata call for a bit of virtuosity, which he is not short of. Otherwise the technical demands seem generally fairly moderate, the real requirement being to capture the intimate and `off-duty' feel of the music which, as the Gramophone critics said, he does very well. The sound comes over very agreeably too, in part through Roge's tactful and sympathetic pedalling, in part from the acoustic, but above all, of course, from the player's touch.

The liner-note is short and fairly basic, but fine as far as it goes. All in all, this is a very pleasant disc that can be commended in good conscience to all but the most ultra-conservative listeners. I am very pleased to have spotted it, and very happy too to endorse the acclamation it was given in 1988.

A Delight.......2006-05-10

There's little use looking further for a recording of Poulenc's piano music, not when Pascal Roge captures the elegance, charm, and wit of his countryman's art so well. The disc starts with "Les Soirees de Nazelles," where some of Poulenc's more virtuosic passages lie. Also demanding are some of the "Improvisations." I find both of these works the most stimulating works on the disc, though my favorite single piece may well be the "Pastourelle," a piano reduction of a work Poulenc wrote for "L'Evential de Jeanne," a collaborative ballet from the 1920s. It capsulizes the sophisticated wit that marks Poulenc as perhaps the drollest of France's Les Six.

Roge is fully attuned to the more virtuosic moments as well as to the humor and verve of Poulenc's idiom. And Decca, often maligned for their inability to turn out consistently fine piano recordings, has here produced a model sound recording. Maybe it's the venue, a London church, that contributes just the right degree of warmth and detracts not a whit from the clean, powerful tone of Roge's piano.

Average customer rating:

Microcosmos
Great value with a few flaws
eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much
Best classical value out there
5 Stars for the music and performance

Bartok: Complete Solo Piano Music

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Brahms: Works for Solo Piano

ASIN: B00008X5AY
Release Date: 2003-05-27

Amazon.com

Sàndor, still active at 90 as this reissue appears, was a student of Bartók and a preferred interpreter of his music. Since this set appeared on nine LPs in the early 1960s, it has been the standard for Bartók's piano music; in this fine-sounding reissue, it still is. Sàndor can hit hard enough for such virtuoso pieces as the Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors," but he also retains the romantic element heard in the composer's own playing which tempers the harsher qualities of the music. While this collection isn't quite as complete as advertised (some early, insignificant piano music by Bartók is omitted), it includes all of Bartók's significant piano music, including such relatively obscure gems as the Bagatelles, eight Improvisations, and many delectable folk arrangements which will appeal even to listeners who think Bartók is too challenging for them. Vox's recorded sound, superbly remastered, resists obsolescence as effectively as Sàndor's performances. Even with the inclusion of the early books of "Mikrokosmos," which will appeal mostly to piano students, this set is worth several times the asking price. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Microcosmos.......2007-03-08

Sándor was a champion not only of Bartók's music but also of Bartók's style of playing. He often complained that people were too quick to see Bartók as ultra-modern, and to fail to appreciate the rich seam of lyricism that also runs through his music.

The piano music is dominated by short pieces, many of them written for piano students, notably the collections "Microcosmos" and "For Children". These, together with suites of folk dance arrangements, make up the bulk of the solo piano output.

Sandór plays these short, and often simple pieces, with neither too much nor too little art. As a gifted teacher, he knew unerringly how much music each of these small vessels held. The result is beguiling - but be warned: no-one can listen to the 153 short pieces of Microcosmos end-to-end. This is an anthology to be dipped into, not swallowed whole.

The remastering is pretty successful (fortunately - some of Vox's CD reissues are plagued by severe deterioration of the original tapes). And it's for half nothing-what's not to like?

Great value with a few flaws.......2006-07-28

I am not a Bartok expert by any scale, but I do like the way these pieces, without exception, are played. There are, however, a couple of other problems.

As mentioned by an earlier reviewer, very few of the works are split into tracks - Mikrokosmos is divided into 7 for each of its six volumes, and to accomodate for a full CD. In these seven tracks there are 121 songs. I would have much preferred if the songs had been split into tracks. Almost the entire CD set is this way - Fifteen Hungarian Songs is one track, Fourteen Bagatelles, etc. It is very annoying when one wants to hear a particular song in those tracks and not the others.

Another detriment to the collection is the recording quality. It is decent most of the time, but in loud sections the piano buzzes. One might be able to ignore it, but I think that it detracts from the passion of the forte quite a bit.

Overall, for $18 it is pretty decent, but if you are like me and like to keep your music library neatly organized (and aren't extremely cheap), I would not recommend this set.

eeh, I guess I don't like Bartok that much.......2006-07-25

I like the fact that Bartok is into the folk tradition and all, but he just tends to forget the fact that melody has to be SOMEWHERE in the music. I'm all for creative expression when you're sitting alone at the piano, but abstract music should be reserved for performance art. I like playing some of your stuff Bela, but I just don't want to listen to you.

Best classical value out there.......2005-10-05

To put this set in perspective, for months I would go to my local Tower Records fishing for worthwhile classical CDs at least once a week. One of the discs that sat in the bins the longest was a single CD of Bartok piano music, played by Zoltan Kocsis. It was Volume 7 of a complete series. This CD listed for $17.99, and as long as I went to that Tower Records, it did not budge an inch, nor was its price amended.

Now, Kocsis is one of the greatest pianists alive, and if anyone is worthy of commanding a premium, it is him. And to be fair, that CD is going to be re-released on October 11 as part of a Collector's Edition - eight CDs, $63.97 MSRP. But it's already going up against this little gem, which contains five CDs with all of the truly great solo-piano works by an internationally recognized Bartok specialist for $21 - not much more than the cost of one CD from the other set. This kind of value is not to be taken lightly.

I came to this set with my impression of Sandor informed by his complete Prokofiev - ultra-hard, sometimes rhythmically slack, always melodically lacking in some way or another. But he held a very special feeling for Bartok, and saved his best playing for the great Hungarian. In passages like the first of the Three Csik Dances, the opening of the Improvisations Op. 20, or in the Ten Easy Pieces, there is a simplicity, charm and wistful homesickness that is quite touching. In pieces like the Out of Doors suite, the Sonata, or the Burlesques, there is a vicious, impulsive energy, a wicked sense of humor and an overabundance of overtones. It is never mindless, inappropriate or even overly harsh - it's just very, very loud.

In this set I like best the endless landscape of the Sonatina, the unusual colors and fragrances in the Etudes, the brilliantly conceived Bear Dance (the last of the Ten Easy Pieces), and the multifaceted, complex, gorgeous Improvisations. Any fan of Bartok should hear these.

5 Stars for the music and performance.......2005-04-04

This is a fantastic deal, but the problem with this Collection stems from the fact that the pieces are often not separated by tracks. This is especially annoying for the Children's Pieces and Mikrokosmos. There are so many pieces, one wears out the fast forward button and still may miss the particular piece one is looking for. The booklet is fairly insightful, and the performer is widely hailed as the supreme interpreter of Bartok's piano music. So aside from this slightly annoying at times and ridiculously annoying at other times flaw, this is one of the best deals in Classical music. Don't hesitate. Add it to the cart.

Average customer rating:

Best CD I Own

Organ of the Mormon Tabernacle

Manufacturer: Klavier
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1994-10-10

Tracks:

Vierne: Symphony No. 1, Op. 14: Finale
Elmore: Rhytmic Suite: Pavane
Saint-Saens: Prelude and Fugue, Op. 99/2
Variations, Op. 40/1
Mendelssohn: Sonata, Op. 65/3
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Customer Reviews:

Best CD I Own.......2006-07-16

The sound quality of this instrument surpasses all instruments worldwide. You can hear a pin drop extremely clearly in the tabernacle the instrument is housed, making the pipe organ a highly effective sound producer. The larger 32' pipes sound just like thunderous power. A must buy for organists and organ enthusiasts.

Flying Beyond: Improvisations on Bamboo Flute

Average customer rating:

Even beyond ... beyond
sublime soaring
flute
Soul-stirring rendition of Raga Malkauns
Exquisite Journey

Flying Beyond: Improvisations on Bamboo Flute
Hariprasad Chaurasia
Manufacturer: Eternal Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Venu

ASIN: B000001Z1S
Release Date: 1995-07-11

Tracks:

Alap
Jor & Jara

Customer Reviews:

Even beyond ... beyond.......2007-02-04

This is truly magnificent. It's kind of an exquisite, intimate self-dialogue/monologue, but you don't really know ... who is playing whom. The flute in itself is truly alive ... and somehow ... Hariprasad seems just to hold it in his hands ... and on his lips. And then sound ... Voice ... happens. And then it's called 'music' ... but - it's so much more ... than even ... beyond.

Does anybody know if there is more of this special kind of 'music' out there ... either of Hariprasad Chaurasia or any other flautist ? - You could write it here in this review section, and I can check-in every now and then.
I would be grateful.
Hariprasad's "Healing Music for Ayurveda" is also enjoyed very much, but, maybe somehow ... it doesn't reach quite as deep(or beyond) as "Flying Beyond". - Anyway, it's very beautiful too.

sublime soaring.......2005-12-09

This is the single most sublime and transcendant musical work that I have ever come across. Meditative and serene and assured at every turn of every phrase. Whether intensely listened to or held in the background, this album never fails to delight.

flute.......2005-08-27

i could not make myself like this album as much as i liked chaurasia's other cds.

Soul-stirring rendition of Raga Malkauns.......2004-05-01

This album has a brilliant elaboration of Raga Malkauns which an ancient Indian Classical melody that evokes the mood of devotion and introspection. The ablums unfolds Malkauns in three phases - alap, jod, and jhala - played in Dhrupad style.
There is no tabla (percussion) accompaniment. Especially suited to create a peaceful and meditative ambience. I had gifted this album to a friend of mine who liked it so much that he has heard it more than 3500 times in the past 12 years. Indeed, this album is so well-played that you might end up being a die-hard fan of the raga (Malkauns) or the maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia. May be both!

Exquisite Journey.......2002-12-02

This is a wonderful album that I listen to almost daily for meditaion, relaxation and as inspiration while I paint.

Average customer rating:

The Two Sides of Victor Borge

Manufacturer: Gmg Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 1987-09-05

Tracks:

Inflationary Language
Phoenetic Punctuation Birthday Improvisations And More

Product Description

Get the best of Victor Borge doing his Inflationary Language, Phoenetic Punctuation and more; as well as some of his classic piano pieces. Now you can hear your favorite Borge Routine while you drive.

Average customer rating:

Masterful interpretation of Bartok's piano works

Zoltán Kocsis plays Bartók

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009A41VA
Release Date: 2005-10-11

Customer Reviews:

Masterful interpretation of Bartok's piano works.......2005-10-21

Without a doubt Bartok is one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. Combining a deep understanding of the possibilities of eastern European folk music - particularly Hungarian and Romanian - with an extremely advanced harmonic and rhythmic vocabulary, Bartok composed some of the greatest works of the last century.

Although Bartok wrote some sublime orchestral music (The Music for strings, percussion and celeste comes instantly to mind), it is in the realms of string quartet and solo piano music that Bartok reigns supreme among 20th century composers in the humble opinion of this reviewer.

So. Here is an 8 CD set of all of Bartok's solo piano music by (argueably) the pre-eminent interpreter of his piano music. These are insightful, passionate performances beautifully recorded.

I for one am thrilled to have this set - particularly since many of these CDs were unavailable up till now. The box is also very reasonably priced compared to the separate CDs.

Highly recommended - modern music begins here.

Massenet: Complete Works for Solo Piano, Piano Concerto & Complete Works for Piano Duet

Average customer rating:

Rare French Musique...

Massenet: Complete Works for Solo Piano, Piano Concerto & Complete Works for Piano Duet
Aldo Ciccolini , Jules Massenet , Sylvain Cambreling , and Orchestre National de l'Opera de Monte Carlo
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2004-06-01

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II. Largo
III. Airs Slovaques: Allegro - Allegro Maestoso - Allegro Molto Animato
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Musique Pour Bercer Les Petits Enfants
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3. Barcarolle: Andantino Quasi Andante
4. Rigodon: Allegro Non Troppo
5. Melodie (Elegie Jouee Par Les Erinnyes): Lento Ma Non Troppo
6. Saltarello: Allegro Vivace
7. Vieille Chanson: Andante Quasi Andantino
8. Legende: Allegretto - Presto
9. Fughetta: Andantino Quasi Allegretto
10. Carillon: Allegro
1. Andantino (Calme Et Soutenu Sans Lenteur)
2. Allegretto Con Grazia - Con Moto
3. Triste Et Lent
4. Allegretto Scherzando
5. Andante Cantabile Espressivo (Quasi Recitativo)
6. Allegro Deciso Con Moto
7. Allegretto (Calme Et Simplement)

Tracks:

Valse Folle
Valse Tres Lente (Tres Lente Et Tres Douce)
Devant La Madonne (Souvenir De La Campagne De Rome, Nuit De Noel) (Allegro Moderato)
I. A L'Ombre (Assez Lent Et Mysterieux)
II. Dans Les Bles (Modere)
III. Grand Soleil (Avec Ampleur)
I. Feuilles Jaunes (Assez Lent)
II. Deux Novembre (Triste, Assez Lent)
III. Joyeuse Chasse (Tres Anime)
I. Noel (Tres Modere)
I. En Songeant (Tres Lent)
III. On Valsait (Mouvement De Valse)
I. Premiers Nids (Vif, Alerte Et Gai)
II. Lilas (Tres Modere Et Caressant)
III. Paques (Sortie De La Grand-Messe) (Modere)
1. Avec Entrain (In C)
2. Tres Anime (In G)
3. Expressif Et Triste, Sans Lenteur (In B Flat Minor)
4. Tres Anime (In D Flat)
5. Avec Elan (In C)
6. Avec Ampleur, Sans Lenteur (In F)
1. Modere Et Bien Rythme (In B Minor)
2. Allegretto, Avec Delicatesse (In G)
3. D'Une Allure Franche Et Gaie, Mesure Cependant (In C)
La Vierge: Danse Galileenne
I. Andante (In F)
II. Allegretto Quasi Allegro (In G)
III. Andante (In D Flat)
1. Tres Calme Avec Un Sentiment Intime (In E Flat)
2. (Sans Indication De Mouvement) (In G)

Customer Reviews:

Rare French Musique..........2007-02-12

.
Nice reissue of some rare French piano music, at a bargan rate.

Ciccolini is an adequate pianist who specializes in French art. His readings of Satie are questionable--but Massenet's piano pieces are otherwise unobtainable.

Jules Massenet is not widely remembered now--aside from a couple of operas which maintain a toehold in the repetoire. In his heyday during the Second Empire, however, he was an important teacher and opera impresario. These little piano pieces reflect the pale rosy eroticism popular in art during the corrupt reign of Napoleon III.
.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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