Hae Won Chang - Ibert: Piano Music (2000)

Tracklist

01. Scherzetto
02. Piece Romantique
03. Toccata Sur le Nom d'Albert Roussel
04. L'espiegle au Village de Lilliput
05. Francaise: 'Guitarre' Pour Le Piano
06. Le Vent dans les Ruines
07. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Prelude
08. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Rondo
09. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Le Gai Vigneron
10. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Berceuse aux Etoiles
11. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Le Cavalier Sans-Souci
12. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Parade
13. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): La Promenade en Traineau
14. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Romance
15. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Quadrille
16. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Serenade sur l'eau
17. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): La Machine a Coudre
18. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): L'adieu
19. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Les Crocus
20. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Premier Bal
21. Petite Suite en quinze images (Little Suite in Fifteen Pictures): Danse du Cocher
22. Histoires (Stories): La Meneuse de Tortues d'or
23. Histoires (Stories): Le Petit Ane Blanc
24. Histoires (Stories): Le Vieux Mendiant
25. Histoires (Stories): A Giddy Girl
26. Histoires (Stories): Dans la Maison Triste
27. Histoires (Stories): Le Palais Abandonne
28. Histoires (Stories): Bajo la Mesa
29. Histoires (Stories): La Cage de Cristal
30. Histoires (Stories): La Marchande d'eau Fraiche
31. Histoires (Stories): Le Cortege de Balkis
32. Les rencontres, petite suite en forme de ballet (Encounters, Little Suite in the Form of a Ballet): Les Bouquetieres
33. Les rencontres, petite suite en forme de ballet (Encounters, Little Suite in the Form of a Ballet): Les Creoles
34. Les rencontres, petite suite en forme de ballet (Encounters, Little Suite in the Form of a Ballet): Les Mignardes
35. Les rencontres, petite suite en forme de ballet (Encounters, Little Suite in the Form of a Ballet): Les Bergeres
36. Les rencontres, petite suite en forme de ballet (Encounters, Little Suite in the Form of a Ballet): Les Bavardes

Again, Naxos ferrets out unfamiliar repertory that delights as it teases with the question: why didn't somebody think of this before? Ibert's piano music is a bit reminiscent of Poulenc's but more straightforward. These tiny Pictures, Stories, Encounters, and sundry musical images - some 36 of them before this generous program has run its course - enchant even if they don't cut very deeply. The Romance offers Schumannesque Lyricism; the 'Abandoned Palace' and ' The Wind Over The Ruins' have spooky Gothic atmosphere; the brilliant 'Cabman's Dance' sprints off the keyboard and out of sight; the children's pieces evoke innocence and wonder in the mode of Ravel's Mother Goose.

"As usual, Naxos serves up a fresh, impressive musician along with the novel music. Korean pianist He-won Chang plays with crisp rhythms, subtle colors, and a sense of joy. The sound is warm and resplendent. This enterprising label shows that there is no reason for brainless "easy listening". Plenty of great music with a light touch is out there, waiting to be unearthed.

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