Fauré: Dolly Suite, Op. 56

A delightful programme of French music for two pianos and four hands from Onyx artist Pascal Rogé and his wife Ami. The music is a mix of the urbane, witty, tender, passionate and dramatic – from Saint-Saëns’ sparkling ‘Wedding Cake’ Caprice, to the passion and eroticism of Ravel’s ‘La Valse’,the drama of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Dukas and the gentle and sophisticated romanticism of Faure’s Dolly Suite.

Paul Chihara’s ‘Ami Suite’ was written for Pascal and Ami, and here receives its world premiere recording.

Legendary pianist Alfred Cortot’s distinguished reputation as an educator is demonstrated in these magnificent arrangements of chamber music for solo piano. They cover every aspect of technique and expression, from Bach’s demanding Toccata and Fugue in D minor to Fauré’s delectable Dolly Suite and the grand scale of Franck’s Violin Sonata. Award-winning pianist He Yue is a young and rising star of the Chinese musical firmament.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the artlessness, tenderness and magic of the child's world fascinated several French composers. In these sets of pieces for piano duet, each transports the listener to the land of dreams and takes a nostalgic look back to his own early life. With restful languor and penetrating timbre, Gabriel Fauré guides us into the intimate universe of the young 'Dolly' (1893-96). In 'Jeux d’enfants' (1871), Georges Bizet evokes juvenile joys with typically French finesse, poetry and clarity. In his 'Petite Suite' (1889), Claude Debussy offers four tableaux that so charmed listeners to his elegant, supple playing; and finally it is the turn of Maurice Ravel, with his passionate devotion to the theme of childhood, to tell us the tales of 'Ma mère l'Oye' (1908-10), thereby creating one of the most poetic and discreetly lyrical works of his time.

Bach’s music is no stranger to transcription; the composer himself visited upon some of these concertos diverse transformations, from cantata sinfonias to chamber concertos, in most cases adding or subtracting parts and instruments. The Amsterdam Guitar Trio, having around 18 strings at their disposal, may fairly and completely play the notes pretty much as Bach wrote them, but bring a new and diverting palette of instrumental colour.

That palette, at once vigorous and yet pastel-shaded, is even more germane to the musical ‘Impressionism’ of French composers at the turn of the 20th century. Debussy is claimed to be the father of the genre, but he hated the term and all its soft-focus implications of Monet made music (and music making money). Accordingly the AGT’s transcriptions are notable for their rhythmic vivacity.

We don’t hear much from the Amsterdam Guitar Trio these days – they gave their last concert in 2003 – so this reissue of two long-deleted albums is all the more welcome. Concert-goers in London and Amsterdam in particular will recall a dynamic ensemble, full of style and good humour that spills over into these recordings.

This CD includes a selection of pieces for four hands and two pianos. They all call for perfect collaboration between the two pianists. Both pianists ably achieve this with a recording packed with French delights. Tamara Granat has a fine discography with DUX and Daniel Propper is a well known name in the UK and has recently played at the Wigmore Hall.

The Walachowski duo plays arrangements and original works for piano duo on their second CD for Oehms Classics (OC566). This CD includes Brahms Hungarian Dances, Fauré “Dolly” Suite, Rachmaninov’s arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and a rarity; the six Contredanses by Stanislav Moniuszko, the founder of the Polish National Opera.

2CDs for price of 1

This exquisite collection benefits from Roy Howat’s dedicated scholarship and performance of French music and with duo partner Emily Kilpatrick illuminates Fauré’s piano music, beautifully portraying the elegance and lyricism that was the Belle Epoque. Includes three world premieres.

1SACD+ DVD

Brother and sister, Karin Lechner & Sergio Tiempo have collaborated with Argerich, Barenboim, Abbado and Dudamel amongst other greats. Sergio is performing extensively in the UK with the Halle Orchestra.