Françaix: Chamber Music

de Reede, Rien, Roorda, Thies

96341

Jean Françaix (1912-1997) was one of the most remarkable French composers of the 20th century. Maurice Ravel said of the young Françaix to the boy's parents, "Among the child's gifts I observe above all the most fruitful an artist can possess, that of curiosity: you must not stifle these precious gifts now or ever, or risk letting this young sensibility wither." They did not, and he flourished: Françaix was a prolific composer, writing over 200 pieces in a wide variety of styles.

Françaix's style is marked by lightness and wit, his wish was to “entertain’ his audience, to amuse and surprise them, to bring a smile to their face. It changed little throughout his career; while he was influenced by composers he admired (such as Chabrier, Stravinsky, Ravel and Poulenc), he integrated what he picked up into his own personal aesthetic, which was already evident in his early works.

In this recording of chamber music Françaix himself is present as pianist. We hear the String Trio, Le Colloque des deux perruches, Divertimento for flute and piano and the Cantata de Méphisto.

The other musicians are members of the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam and this is a reissue of a recording from 1993, still brimming with joy and excitement.

CD

2.07.2021

5028421963419