Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé & Chant élégiaque

Album Description

Immerse yourself in the vibrant and colorful world of Florent Schmitt's "La Tragédie de Salomé," a captivating musical score composed in 1907 to accompany a danced mimodrama by the legendary Loïe Fuller. This album, released on May 10, 2024, by Alpha Classics, offers a rich and dynamic listening experience that spans a full 23 tracks and over an hour of music. Conducted by the acclaimed Alain Altinoglu and performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, this recording brings Schmitt's vivid and expressive work to life with stunning clarity and depth.

The album opens with the dramatic "Prélude" and unfolds through a series of tableaux, each brimming with intricate details and emotional depth. From the lively "Danse du paon" to the enchanting "Danse des serpents," Schmitt's music is a feast for the senses, showcasing his mastery of orchestration and his ability to evoke a wide range of moods and atmospheres. The final tracks, including the haunting "Danse blanche" and the intense "Danse de l’effroi," leave a lasting impression, highlighting the composer's unique vision and artistic brilliance.

Complementing the main work is "Chant élégiaque, Op. 24," a poignant and reflective piece that adds another layer of emotional resonance to the album. With its rich orchestration and expressive melodies, this work is a testament to Schmitt's enduring legacy as a composer of profound depth and originality.

Whether you are a longtime fan of Florent Schmitt or a newcomer to his music, this album offers a compelling and immersive journey through the composer's rich and varied musical landscape. With its stunning performances and meticulous attention to detail, "Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé & Chant élégiaque" is a must-listen for anyone seeking to explore the depths of classical music.

10 mei 2024

2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music

2024 Hessischer Rundfunk

About Florent Schmitt

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.