Dive into the enchanting world of Albert Roussel with this captivating album, featuring a selection of his most evocative works. This recording brings together the talents of the BBC Philharmonic, CBSO Chorus, and a trio of exceptional soloists: Kathryn Rudge, Alessandro Fisher, and François le Roux, all under the baton of the acclaimed conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier.
The album opens with Roussel's Suite in F, Op. 33, a charming three-movement work that showcases the composer's neoclassical leanings and his mastery of orchestral color. The suite's Prélude, Sarabande, and Gigue offer a delightful journey through various dance forms, each imbued with Roussel's unique harmonic language.
Next, the album presents Pour une fête de printemps, Op. 22, originally composed as a Scherzo for Roussel's Second Symphony. This vibrant and audacious piece is a celebration of spring, bursting with energy and color.
The centerpiece of the album is Roussel's Évocations, Op. 15, a song cycle that explores various mythological and literary themes. The three songs that comprise this work—"Les Dieux dans l'ombre des cavernes," "La Ville rose," and "Aux bords du Fleuve sacré"—are each a miniature masterpiece, showcasing Roussel's gift for melody and his deep understanding of the human voice.
Recorded in 2018 and released by Chandos, this album is a testament to Roussel's enduring appeal and his place in the pantheon of great French composers. Whether you're a longtime fan of Roussel or a newcomer to his music, this album is sure to delight and inspire.
Albert Roussel, born in 1869 in Tourcoing, France, was a composer whose musical journey was as unique as his eclectic influences. Initially drawn to mathematics and the sea, Roussel spent seven formative years as a midshipman, sailing to Southeast Asia and absorbing the exotic cultures that would later inspire his compositions. It was only in his late twenties that he turned his full attention to music, studying under the renowned Vincent d'Indy at the Schola Cantorum de Paris. Roussel's early works bear the impressionistic touch of Debussy and Ravel, but he soon forged his own path, embracing neoclassicism and developing a personal style marked by lyrical passion, technical austerity, and harmonic innovation.
Throughout his career, Roussel composed a diverse range of works, including ballets, symphonies, chamber music, and songs, often drawing on exotic and mythological themes. His compositions, such as the evocative "Évocation" and the dramatic "Bacchus et Ariane," showcase his ability to blend vivid orchestration with structural rigor. Roussel's influence extended beyond his compositions; he also taught notable students like Erik Satie and Edgard Varèse. Despite starting his musical career later in life, Roussel's unique voice and innovative spirit made him one of the most original and influential French composers of the interwar period.
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