About this Release
“What a sheer joy it is to witness the release of CD 2. Along with Schmitt’s poignant and spirited Reflets d’Allemagne, it introduces for the first time on disc his Sur cinq notes and Huit courtes pièces. The entire melodic content of the latter two works is based on a mere five–note set, with the composer exhibiting his trademark wittiness, variety and brilliant invention.” — Invencia Piano Duo
SCHMITT, FLORENT (1870–1958)
Complete Original Works for Piano Duet and Duo • 2
On Five Notes, Op. 34 • Reflections of Germany, Op. 28 • Eight Easy Pieces, Op. 41
- Invencia Piano Duo
Florent Schmitt was one of the most original and influential French composers of his time. His music shimmers with luxuriant melodies, good humour and a fearless harmonic vocabulary. This second of four volumes is filled with innovation and stylistic bravura, from the remarkable variety to be found in Sur cinq notes to the balletic poetry of Reflets d’Allemagne.
This recording was made on a modern instrument: Steinway, Model D
Tracklist
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Sur 5 notes, Op. 34 (1906) (00:16:11 )
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1
I. Ronde * (00:01:08)
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2
II. Barcarolle * (00:02:41)
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3
III. Mazurka * (00:01:51)
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4
IV. Bercement * (00:02:41)
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5
V. Danse pyrénéenne * (00:00:59)
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6
VI. Mélodie * (00:03:24)
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7
VII. Pastorale * (00:02:17)
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8
VIII. Farandole * (00:01:13)
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Reflets d'Allemagne, Op. 28 (1912) (00:20:04 )
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9
I. Heidelberg (00:02:43)
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10
II. Coblentz (00:03:09)
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11
III. Lübeck (00:03:15)
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12
IV. Werder (00:02:45)
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13
V. Vienne (00:03:04)
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14
VI. Dresde (00:02:10)
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15
VII. Nuremberg (00:03:11)
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16
VIII. Munich (00:03:23)
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8 Easy Pieces, Op. 41 (1908) (00:19:11 )
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17
No. 1. Ouverture * (00:02:36)
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18
No. 2. Menuet * (00:02:14)
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19
No. 3. Chanson * (00:02:45)
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20
No. 4. Sérénade * (00:01:56)
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21
No. 5. Virelai * (00:01:11)
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22
No. 6. Boléro * (00:03:18)
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23
No. 7. Complainte * (00:03:16)
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24
No. 8. Cortège * (00:01:57)
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The Artist(s)
The Invencia Piano Duo has won high critical acclaim for its compelling interpretations of a vast and diverse repertoire. Lutsyshyn was a prizewinner at the Vienna Modern Masters International Performers’s Recording Awards Competition and the William Kapell International Piano Competition. Kasparov won the Albert Roussel Prize at the Orléans International Piano Competition and gave the première of Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 3 to great acclaim.
https://invenciaduo.wordpress.com
The Composer(s)
Florent Schmitt’s compositions are not easily categorised, and his compositional ethos, based on the requirements of the music or on the literary, historical or geographic source of inspiration, varied more in style than that of his contemporaries. From the age of seventeen, when he devoted himself to a career in music, Schmitt maintained his French musical lineage, incorporating as its essential element what he called “seductive harmony”. Yet his individual musical language gathered energy from all that he experienced. In spite of his connections to the music of his countrymen, Schmitt’s music avoids easy classification. He has been labelled a product of German romanticism, French sensibilities, exotic locales, Russian experimentalism, and orientalisms. In reality he is an independent, creative force to be reckoned with; one who made authentically original contributions to twentieth-century music. Reviews
“When it comes to expressiveness and communication, Invencia’s elegance and telepathic sense of timing make for a highly satisfying brace of recitals.” – MusicWeb International
“Kasparov and Lutsyshyn play with great clarity and precision, carefully bringing out the intrinsic two-piano nature of the music’s construction.” – MusicWeb International
Also Available
Grand Piano has gained a reputation for producing high quality recordings of rare keyboard gems. Dedicated to the exploration of undiscovered piano repertoire, the label specialises in complete cycles of piano works by many lesser-known composers, whose output might otherwise have remained unknown and unrecorded.
- info@grandpianorecords.com
