Jolivet: Sérénade pour Quintette à vent avec Hautbois principal

One of the world’s foremost wind quintets meets one of today’s finest pianists in a work that many consider to be the best work for piano and winds: Poulenc’s Sextet, as well as works by other French composers.

The composer himself called it ‘a homage to the wind instruments which I have loved from the moment I began composing’, and its cheeky character, virtuosic drive and catchy melodies are typical of his other writing for wind instruments. Poulenc also supplied the piano with a crucial – and virtuosic – part, however, including jazzy elements typical of the period as well as emotional outbursts in the manner of Rachmaninov.

Stephen Hough and the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet have enjoyed a long collaboration and the players of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – who began performing as a group more than 20 years ago – once again demonstrate their supreme ability as ensemble players.

What is 'French' about French composers and players? In these recordings we can hear virtuosity, tangy tone colours, and a sheer joie de vivre that can be missing from some more careful modern performances.Tempos are breakneck, especially from pianist/composer Francis Poulenc and in the Trio by Georges Auric; but there is a Debussy like sensuousness in Albert Roussel's Divertissement. The oboist in that piece is Pierre Pierlot, who can also be heard in the solo oboe part of André Jolivet's Sérénade, and in a Sonata by Jacques Hotteterre.

Two lesser-known composers here are Marguerite Roesgen-Champion with a delightful Pastorale; and Pierre-Octave Ferroud, with an original and virtuosic Trio. Other oboists featured include Louis Bas, Louis Bleuzet, Roland Lamorlette and Myrtile Morel.

Original performances of Poulenc, Auric and other French composers. Includes a 24 page booklet, with oboist and scholar Geoffrey Burgess writing about the milieu that produced this fertile outpouring of French wind writing and playing.