Dive into the whimsical and witty world of Jean Françaix with this enchanting album, featuring two of his most delightful ballet scores: "Le roi nu" and "Les demoiselles de la nuit." Released in 2005, this recording showcases the Ulster Orchestra under the baton of Thierry Fischer, bringing Françaix's unique musical voice to life with charm and precision.
"Le roi nu," the fourth of Françaix's nine ballet scores, is a playful retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes." Composed when Françaix was just 23, this 26-minute ballet sparkles with youthful energy and humor. The orchestration is a delight, with frantic skittering strings, brass, and woodwind painting a vivid picture of the emperor's ridiculous predicament. The ballet is divided into four scenes, each bringing a new twist to the tale, culminating in the famous declaration, "But the King is naked!"
In contrast, "Les demoiselles de la nuit" offers a more subdued yet equally spirited experience. This ballet, composed twelve years after "Le roi nu," is a charming and somewhat maudlin tale of cats, set to a libretto by Jean Anouilh. The score is divided into two scenes, each filled with vivid musical depictions of feline antics, from the "Dance of the Servant Cats and the Young Man" to the dramatic "Entrance of Madame, the Leading Female Cat."
Throughout the album, Françaix's signature style shines through: a blend of neoclassical elegance and chamber music intimacy, all infused with a distinctly French wit. This recording is a testament to Françaix's compositional prowess, offering a delightful introduction to his unique voice in the classical repertoire. With a running time of just over an hour, this album is a perfect way to spend an afternoon, immersing yourself in the playful and imaginative world of Jean Françaix.
Jean Françaix, born in 1912, was a French composer and pianist whose music radiates a quintessentially French charm, blending wit, clarity, and a light neoclassical style. Hailing from a musical family, Françaix began composing at the tender age of six, and by nine, he had already published a piano piece. His prodigious talent was nurtured by his father, the director of the Conservatory of Le Mans, and later by the renowned Nadia Boulanger. Françaix's extensive catalog of over 200 works spans various genres, including operas, ballets, symphonies, and chamber music, each piece imbued with his signature Gallic humor and vibrant style. Influenced by composers such as Ravel, Poulenc, and Stravinsky, Françaix's music is a delightful journey through the 20th-century French musical landscape, offering a consistent and engaging voice that captivates audiences worldwide.
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