Jolivet: Suite en concert, Incantations & Concerto pour flûte

Dive into the world of André Jolivet with this captivating 1967 release, featuring the legendary flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal. This album is a testament to Jolivet's mastery of composition, showcasing his innovative approach to chamber music and orchestral works. The centerpiece of the album is the "Suite en concert pour flûte et percussions," a dynamic and engaging piece composed in 1965 and premiered the following year. This suite, along with the "Six Incantations pour flûte seule" and the "Concerto pour flûte et orchestre à cordes," highlights Jolivet's unique voice in the classical music landscape.

The album opens with the "Suite en concert pour flûte et percussions," a work that pushes the boundaries of traditional flute repertoire. The suite's four movements, from the delicate "Modéré - Frémissant" to the powerful "Calme - Véloce - Apaisé," demonstrate Jolivet's ability to evoke a range of moods and textures. The "Incantations" that follow are equally compelling, each piece a miniature world of sound and expression. The album concludes with the "Flute Concerto," a work that has become a staple of the modern flute repertoire, showcasing Rampal's virtuosity and Jolivet's compositional genius.

This album is a must-listen for fans of classical music, offering a unique blend of chamber and orchestral works that highlight André Jolivet's innovative approach to composition. The performances by Jean-Pierre Rampal and the Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, under the direction of André Jolivet himself, are nothing short of extraordinary. The album's 50-minute duration is filled with moments of beauty, intensity, and technical brilliance, making it a standout release in the classical music canon.

André Jolivet, born in the heart of Paris in 1905, was a French composer whose music reflects a deep devotion to French culture and a broad spectrum of musical influences. His compositions, which span a wide array of forms and ensembles, are marked by his fascination with acoustics, atonality, and the unique timbres of both ancient and modern instruments. Jolivet's journey in music began under the tutelage of Paul Le Flem and the avant-garde composer Edgar Varèse, who introduced him to the works of Schoenberg, Berg, and Bartók. In 1936, Jolivet co-founded the group Jeune France with Olivier Messiaen, Daniel-Lesur, and Yves Baudrier, aiming to revitalize French music with a blend of tradition and innovation. His works, known for their sophisticated rhythms and new sonorities, often draw from non-European music, jazz, and even electronic instruments, making Jolivet's compositions a rich and diverse exploration of sound. Throughout his career, Jolivet remained an independent spirit, deeply convinced of the universal and transcendent power of art.