Florent Schmitt: Lied et Scherzo, Suite en rocaille, A tour d'anches, Chants alizés

Immerse yourself in the intricate and captivating world of Florent Schmitt's chamber music with this exceptional album, released on November 1, 2000, by Praga Digitals. Comprising four distinct works, this collection showcases Schmitt's mastery of form and his unique harmonic language, offering a rich and diverse listening experience.

The album opens with "Lied et Scherzo, Op. 54," a charming and playful piece for double wind quintet, composed in 1910. This work sets the stage for the rest of the album, demonstrating Schmitt's ability to blend lyrical melodies with rhythmic vitality.

Next, the "Suite en rocaille, Op. 84" unfolds in four distinct movements, each with its own character and tempo. From the leisurely "Sans hâte" to the lively "Vif," this suite showcases Schmitt's skill in crafting engaging and varied musical narratives.

The "A tour d'anches, Op. 97" follows, a work that highlights the expressive potential of the wind quintet. The four movements, ranging from the hunting-inspired "À courre" to the haunting "Nocturne - Sarabande," offer a journey through a range of emotions and moods.

Finally, the album concludes with "Chants alizés, Op. 125," another four-movement suite that further explores Schmitt's harmonic language and his ability to create compelling musical structures. The final movement, "Ronde en losange. Animé," brings the album to a lively and satisfying close.

Performed by the Prague Wind Quintet and The Czech Nonet, this album is a testament to the enduring appeal of Florent Schmitt's music. With a total duration of 55 minutes, it offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of Schmitt's chamber music, making it an essential addition to any classical music lover's collection.

Florent Schmitt, born in the picturesque region of Lorraine, France, in 1870, was a composer of remarkable versatility and individuality. His musical journey began in Nancy, where he received his first lessons, and later flourished under the tutelage of Massenet and Fauré at the Paris Conservatoire. Schmitt's career spanned over seven decades, encompassing the tail end of Romanticism, the Impressionist movement, and the dawn of modernism. His compositions, numbering 138 with opus numbers, span a wide array of genres, each marked by his distinctive, opulent, and rhythmically rich style.

Schmitt was part of the influential group Les Apaches, which included notable figures like Ravel and Delius, and his work reflects a blend of Impressionist, post-Romantic, and even Oriental influences. His most celebrated works include the ballet "La tragédie de Salomé" and "Psaume XLVII," both showcasing his powerful and expressive musical language. Schmitt's music, though less known today, was highly regarded in his time, and his unique voice continues to captivate those who discover his works. His legacy is one of a free spirit in French music, a composer who fearlessly explored the rich tapestry of musical expression.