Albert Roussel - Complete Chamber Music

This set is worth having for the impromptu for harp solo (cd2, tr. 1) alone. While fully maintaining its mysterious powers to enchant, Roussel has a way of handling the instrument which does away with its aura of sentimental sweetness. The solo is an integerly sounding piece; and perhaps this predicate perfectly summarises the qualities of most works from the hand of this French master. Roussel’s compositions don’t seek to win over his audience with striking effects or technical virtuosity. They’re just there – clear, solid, peaceful and comforting.
As stated in the booklet, Roussel was overshadowed by his contemporaries Ravel and Debussy. Far too modest a man, he wouldn’t have wanted to make his music an issue of competition…no other way for him but to devote himself to his talents in solitude. And talking about solitude – I think that, somehow, this state of being is reflected in the man’s music…

tracklist

cd1

01. Piano Trio in E flat major, op 2 - i Modere, sans lenteur-tres anime
02. Piano Trio in E flat major, op 2 - ii Lent
03. Piano Trio in E flat major, op 2 - iii Tres lent-Vif et gaiement
04. Divertissement for wind quintet & piano, op 6 - Anime, lent, anime
05. Violin Sonata no 1 in D minor, op 11 - i Lent-Tres anime-Lent
06. Violin Sonata no 1 in D minor, op 11 - ii Assez anime-Tres lent-Assez anime
07. Violin Sonata no 1 in D minor, op 11 - iii Tres anime-Tres modere-Tres anime

cd2

01. Impromptu for harp, op 21
02. Deux poemes de Ronsard, for flute & soprano, op 26 - i Rossignol, mon mignon
03. Deux poemes de Ronsard, for flute & soprano, op 26 - ii Ciel, aer et vens
04. Joueurs de flute, for flute & piano, op 27 - i Pan
05. Joueurs de flute, for flute & piano, op 27 - ii Tityre
06. Joueurs de flute, for flute & piano, op 27 - iii Krishna
07. Joueurs de flute, for flute & piano, op 27 - iv M. de la Pejaudie
08. Violin Sonata no 2, op 28 - i Allegro con moto
09. Violin Sonata no 2, op 28 - ii Andante
10. Violin Sonata no 2, op 28 - iii Presto
11. Segovia, for guitar, op 29
12. Serenade for flute, string trio, & harp, op 30 - i Allegro
13. Serenade for flute, string trio, & harp, op 30 - ii Andante
14. Serenade for flute, string trio, & harp, op 30 - iii Presto
15. Duo for bassoon & double bass
16. Aria no 2, for oboe & piano

cd3

01. Trio for flute, viola, & cello, op 40 - i Allegro grazioso
02. Trio for flute, viola, & cello, op 40 - ii Andante
03. Trio for flute, viola, & cello, op 40 - iii Allegro non troppo
04. String Quartet, op 45 - i Allegro
05. String Quartet, op 45 - ii Adagio
06. String Quartet, op 45 - iii Allegro vivo
07. String Quartet, op 45 - iv Allegro moderato
08. Andante and Scherzo for flute & piano, op 51
09. Pipe, for piccolo & piano
10. String Trio, op 58 - i Allegro moderato
11. String Trio, op 58 - ii Adagio
12. String Trio, op 58 - iii Allegro con spirito
13. Music from Elpenor (Poeme radiophonique), op 59 - i Prelude. Lent-Tres anime
14. Music from Elpenor (Poeme radiophonique), op 59 - ii Modere
15. Music from Elpenor (Poeme radiophonique), op 59 - iii Lent
16. Music from Elpenor (Poeme radiophonique), op 59 - iv Tres anime
17. Andante from an unfinished Wind Trio, for oboe, clarinet, & bassoon