Les Vents Français - Les Vents Français - Music for Wind Ensemble (2014)

Tracklist

01. 3 Pièces brèves: I. Allegro
02. 3 Pièces brèves: II. Andante
03. 3 Pièces brèves: III. Assez lent-Allegro Scherzando
04. Le tombeau de Couperin: I. Prélude
05. Le tombeau de Couperin: II. Fugue
06. Le tombeau de Couperin: III. Menuet
07. Le tombeau de Couperin: IV. Rigaudon
08. Sonatina for Oboe & Bassoon: I. Ouverture
09. Sonatina for Oboe & Bassoon: II. Récitatif
10. Sonatina for Oboe & Bassoon: III. Ostinato
11. La cheminée du roi René, Op. 205: I. Cortège
12. La Cheminée du roi René, Op. 205: II. Aubade
13. La cheminée du roi René, Op. 205: III. Jongleurs
14. La cheminée du roi René, Op. 205: IV. La Maousinglade
15. La cheminée du roi René, Op. 205: V. Joutes sur l'Arc
16. La cheminée du roi René, Op. 205: VI. Chasse à Valabre
17. La cheminée du roi René, Op. 205: VII. Madrigal-Nocturne
18. Wind Quintet: I. Allegro con moto
19. Wind Quintet: II. Andante
20. Wind Quintet: III. Vivace
21. 6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet: I. Allegro con spirito
22. 6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet: II. Rubato lamentoso
23. 6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet: III. Allegro grazioso
24. 6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet: IV. Presto ruvido
25. 6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet: V. Adagio mesto (Béla Bartók in memoriam)
26. 6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet: VI. Molto vivace (Capriccioso)
27. Humoreske (Rondo)
28. Summer Music, Op. 31
29. Sonatina for Oboe, Clarinet & Bassoon: I. Allegro giocoso
30. Sonatina for Oboe, Clarinet & Bassoon: II. Andante-Allegretto-Tempo I
31. Sonatina for Oboe, Clarinet & Bassoon: III. Grave-Allegrissimo
32. Kleine Kammermusik , Op. 24 No. 2: I. Lustig. Mäßig schnelle Viertel
33. Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2: II. Walzer. Durchweg sehr leise
34. Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2: III. Ruhig und einfach. Achtel
35. Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No .2: IV. Schnelle Viertel
36. Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2: V. Sehr lebhaft



Here's a two-CD set that can be enjoyed on several different levels. Listeners can prize it for the sheer effervescent tunefulness and fun of the French ensemble pieces on the first CD, balanced by the music on the second disc that, although not French, was all influenced by the French tradition in some way. Pity the dour individual who can't crack a smile during Jacques Ibert's Trois Pièces brèves or the crisp arrangement of Ravel's Le tombeau de Couperin. On the other hand, this is the rare example of a double-CD set that actually justifies its use of the expanded format. The aim of the fine ensemble Les Vents Français (The French Winds) is twofold: it aims to expose the depth of the French tradition of chamber music for winds, and to show its influence on the wider musical world. The program includes some unusual pieces, such as the Wind Quintet of Paul Taffanel, a work of the late 19th century that arguably served as the model for the rest of the music on the album. The major Warner Classics label deserves credit for such adventurous programming, but the album also works perfectly well as background music for an afternoon picnic.

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