About this Release
FARRENC, LOUISE (1804–1875)
Complete Piano Works • 3
- Maria Stratigou, piano
A luminary of the Parisian musical establishment as composer, pianist and teacher, Louise Farrenc won the admiration of her contemporaries, not least Robert Schumann. Her Rondos were composed within the period of a decade and are delicious examples of her art – graceful, elegant and expressive. Some of them are based on operatic themes or on songs, while others are simpler and intended for younger performers. ‘Maria Stratigou has a full mastery of Farrenc’s romantic style and a technique to match’, wrote American Record Guide of the first volume in this acclaimed series (GP912–13).
Tracklist
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3 Rondos faciles, Op. 8 () (00:09:00 )
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1
No. 1. Allegretto (00:03:21)
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2
No. 2. Allegretto (00:03:01)
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3
No. 3. Allegretto grazioso (00:03:04)
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4
Rondeau brillant sur un chœur du Pirate de Bellini, Op. 9 () (00:06:27)
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5
Rondeau brillant sur des thèmes d'Eurianthe de Weber, Op. 11 () (00:07:14)
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6
Rondeau brillant sur la cavatine de Zelmire de Rossini, Op. 13 () (00:08:29)
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7
La grand'mère, premier rondoletto sur la chansonnette de Lagoanère (1835) (00:04:15)
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8
Naples. deuxième rondoletto sur la barcarolle de Masini (1835) (00:05:06)
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9
La sylphide, rondo valse sur un motif de Masini, Op. 18 (1835) (00:07:00)
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Encouragement aux jeunes pianistes () (00:06:00 )
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10
No. 1. Rondino pastoral (00:02:04)
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11
No. 2. Rondino savoyard (00:01:54)
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12
No. 3. Rondino valse (00:02:06)
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Les jours heureux, 4 Rondinos sur des thèmes favoris, Op. 21 () (00:10:00 )
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13
No. 1. Thème de Zampa (00:02:51)
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14
No. 2. Chansonnette de Panseron, "Dans une heure je vais danser" (00:02:55)
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15
No. 3. Valse de Masini (00:02:22)
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16
No. 4. Air napolitain, "Errata mmiezo mare michelemma" (00:02:51)
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The Artist(s)
Dr Maria Stratigou studied at the Conservatory of Athens, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal Northern College of Music, where she completed her PhD Performance Aspects of Louise Farrenc’s Piano Études. She is currently a teaching associate (Performance) at the University of Sheffield. Stratigou has given lecture-recitals and paper presentations at numerous international conferences on this subject. She has performed across Europe and is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the ’Eleni Tim. Mykoniou’ Prize for Piano (Academy of Athens, 2013) and First Prizes at the Jock Holden Memorial Mozart Piano Prize Competition at the RCS (2008) and various Panhellenic piano competitions. The Composer(s)
Louise Farrenc was one of the most respected pianists and composers in the 19th-century Parisian music scene, and her four sets of Études are her most important compositions for piano. Beautiful melodies and distinctiveness of character have made the Études, Op. 26 the most popular set, but all of these pieces are full of grace and charm alongside their didactic usefulness in their references to the styles both of Farrenc’s musical ancestors and her contemporaries. The Greek pianist Maria Stratigou is one of Louise Farrenc’s greatest exponents and makes her Grand Piano debut with these exquisite rarities. Reviews
“Stratigou is an ideal interpreter of this music, technically adept and able to find a wonderful sense of the salon elegance evident in all these pieces.” – 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.
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