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Audio Samples
Album Summary
Performers
Gro Sandvik (Flute)- Steinar Hannevold (Oboe)
- Fredrik Fors (Clarinet)
- Per Hannevold (Bassoon)
Notes & Reviews:
This disc celebrates the centenary of Jean Françaix, (1912-1997), as well as his music, written with the stated aim to 'give pleasure'. A precocious talent, praised by Ravel for his great gifts and curiosity, and astonishing Nadia Boulanger with his ability, Françaix wrote his first chamber work for winds, the Quartet, in 1933 at the age of 21, and completed his Quintet No.2 more than 50 years later - with a remarkably consistent style marked by lightness and wit. Françaix' works are favourites not only with audiences but also with the musicians themselves, enjoying the challenges of his virtuosic writing, his fleet way with rhythms and timbres and the conversational character of the interplay between individual parts. The highly regarded Bergen Woodwind Quintet, consisting of solo players from the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, here perform four chamber works for winds which all share these characteristics - and do so with obvious pleasure. The versatile ensemble released its first disc on BIS in 1985, and has recorded chamber music by Carl Nielsen as well as by David Maslanka, to critical acclaim.
American Record Guide, September / October 2012
This may be the best wind quintet making recordings today, and it is delightful that they have selected this music. One of the underappreciated composers by the larger classical music audience, Jean Francaix contributed some of the more challenging and enjoyable music to the wind repertoire in the 20th Century. His first quintet, written in 1948, is a favorite among performers - and a favorite of mine, too. More than just a well-crafted display of technical virtuosity, the work has wit, charm, and dazzle. And the Quartet written in 1933 and Divertissement for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon written in 1947 bear the marks of a quirky intellectualism styled with jazz. The second quintet, however, written nearly 40 years later, sits a notch below the vibrancy of those earlier compositions. A product of the sappy 1980s, it sometimes waxes sentimental and just lacks the same level of substance and inspiration. Nevertheless, like good stewards of their art, the Bergen Quintet keeps all this music brimming with expression.
Gramophone Magazine, September 2012
There is a nice mixture of whimsy throughout all these pieces, plus a gentle melancholy that is wholly individual... a cornucopia of very French music, which is superbly played.
Recording information: Herdla Kirke (Herdla Protestant Church), Askoy, Norway (04/2008).
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Works Details
Jean Françaix (1912 - 1997) : Quintet for flute, violin, viola, cello & harp no 1 - Ensemble: Bergen Woodwind Quintet
- Running Time: 20 min. 9 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1934
Jean Françaix (1912 - 1997) : Quintet for flute, violin, viola, cello & harp no 2 - Ensemble: Bergen Woodwind Quintet
- Running Time: 19 min. 32 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1989
Jean Françaix (1912 - 1997) : Quartet for flute, oboe, clarinet & bassoon - Performers: Gro Sandvik (Flute); Steinar Hannevold (Oboe); Fredrik Fors (Clarinet); Per Hannevold (Bassoon)
- Running Time: 10 min. 58 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Form: Chamber Music
Jean Françaix (1912 - 1997) : Divertissement for oboe, clarinet & bassoon - Performers: Per Hannevold (Bassoon); Fredrik Fors (Clarinet); Steinar Hannevold (Oboe)
- Running Time: 10 min. 2 sec.
- Period Time: Modern
- Written: 1947
