 |  | Wonderful French Ambiance |  |
Most of the music on this disk was unknown to me, but I was glad to make its acquaintance. The performances are crisp, clean, clear and elegant; in a word, French. Having recently been in Paris I could safely make the connection to the place with this music instantly.
July 14, 2003 | | Poulence and Milhaud shine, but the rest can be samey. | |
Pahud perhaps errs in beginning his disc with by far its strongest piece, Poulenc's joyously melodic 'Flute Sonata', serenely playful, influenced by Stravinsky's neo-classicism, but spiritually just as close to Mozart. The only other work here that compares is Poulenc's old 'Les Six' chum Milhaud's 'Sonatina', which has a rhythmic energy and strangeness that marks it out from its rather fey surroundings.
Three of the works are Conservatoire test pieces, and they show, Dutilleux's and Sancan's being pleasant, but samey variations on Debussy and Faure. Ibert's contributions are more original, but just as amiably forgettable. Messian's replication of bird-song, 'Le Merle Noir', is evocative and exciting, but fatiguing; Jolivet's closer just fatigues. Pahud's playing is flexible and expressive throughout, and Le Sage's quiet invention on the piano shouldn't be ignored, but this disc really only sparkles on first hearing. February 7, 2001
Pahud has become one of the biggest flutist around the world these days. His selections on this all-French composer disc span the gamut of the French repertory from the Ibert to the still living Dutilleux. I got this disc for two reasons 1) because there aren't too many recordings of the Dutilleux Sonatine--a contemporary flute and piano piece {The two which spring to my mind are Paula Robison and Michael Bellavance 's but there are probably 1 or 2 more out there} and 2)i was curious about Pahud's mysterious sound. Many flutist friends had told me I HAD to hear a recording of his. Let me say that it takes a lot to impress me after getting used to hearing the flute squad of the Boston Symphony--wood flute pioneer Jacques Zoon, Fenwick Smith and Elizabeth Ostling, but this Pahud's sound IS all that AND a bag of potato chips. This collection although almost exclusively from the 20th century is quite accessible, lyric (in the French style), even the 'bird' calls in Messiaen's 'Le Merle Noir' don't even come close to other ear-challenging 20th century repertory. The disc is a great sampler of the 'greatest flute hits/repertory' of the 20th century (excluding the solo flute pieces-Debussy's Syrinx or Varese's Density 21.5).
That said I have 2 cents more to add to my review of the Dutilleux Sonatine. Although I like this disc a lot, I LOVE Paula Robison's Recording of it even more (if that is possible). IT IS probably the DEFINITIVE recording of that piece. Check out her CD on the Vanguard label which has a smattering of 19th and 20th century works on it. September 19, 2000
| | | Pahud is by far one of the absolute best flutists right now! | |
After attending a masterclass with Emmanuel Pahud, I bought this recording, and as he demonstrated in the classes, he is a phenomenal all-around performer. If you ever have a chance to see him live, definitely go for it. Otherwise, get a recording... or two!
February 3, 1999More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(4 reviews)