20th Century Miniatures - Ibert, Et Al / London Wind Trio
After Mozart, it is the 20th-century French school of woodwind writing that holds the palm for sheer felicity, just as English orchestral players, with their individuality of style and personality, can often upstage their French colleagues for affectionately subtle characterisation in its performance. The present three soloists are as expert individually as they are perfectly blended as a group, and the result here (with absolutely truthful recording) is very entertaining indeed.
The wit and charm of Ibert's Cinq pieces have long made them favourites of the wind trio repertoire, with the perky Poulenc Sonata with its dolorous central 'Nocturne' (tres doux) not far behind. Milhaud's Pastorale is more audaciously prolix, but his Suite d'apres Corrette has a disarming simplicity, yet brings delicious passing dissonances in its 'Menuet', before 'Le coucou' carols us back into spring. Tomasi's rustic Concert champetre is hardly less engaging, with its wry 'Nocturne' interrupting the geniality before the folksy closing Vif.
Villa-Lobos's Trio is the most substantial piece here, and the most fascinatingly complex in its rhythmic and harmonic texture. Its bouncing, interweaving ostinatos surely suggest the exotic, ever-present sounds of the Brazilian jungle - the haunting central Languissamente, for example, makes a dark, tropical nocturne, while the backgound energy is always left unsubdued. It cannot be easy to play, yet it is presented here with great assurance and total identity with its vivid colouring and atmosphere. A splendid collection, highly recommended.'
-- Ivan March, Gramophone [4/2000]
Product Description:
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Release Date: January 25, 2000
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UPC: 748871301320
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Catalog Number: SOMMCD 013
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Label: SOMM Recordings
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Number of Discs: 1
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Composer: Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Henri Tomasi, Jacques Ibert
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Orchestra/Ensemble: London Wind Trio
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Performer: Keith Puddy, Neil Black, Roger Birnstingl
Works:
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Pieces (5) in Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon
Composer: Jacques Ibert
Ensemble: London Wind Trio
Performer: Roger Birnstingl (Bassoon), Neil Black (Oboe), Keith Puddy (Clarinet)
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Pastorale for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon, Op. 147
Composer: Darius Milhaud
Ensemble: London Wind Trio
Performer: Roger Birnstingl (Bassoon), Neil Black (Oboe), Keith Puddy (Clarinet)
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Concert champêtre
Composer: Henri Tomasi
Ensemble: London Wind Trio
Performer: Roger Birnstingl (Bassoon), Neil Black (Oboe), Keith Puddy (Clarinet)
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Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon
Composer: Francis Poulenc
Ensemble: London Wind Trio
Performer: Roger Birnstingl (Bassoon), Keith Puddy (Clarinet)
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Suite d'après Corrette for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon, Op. 161b
Composer: Darius Milhaud
Ensemble: London Wind Trio
Performer: Roger Birnstingl (Bassoon), Neil Black (Oboe), Keith Puddy (Clarinet)
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Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon, W 182
Composer: Heitor Villa-Lobos
Ensemble: London Wind Trio
Performer: Roger Birnstingl (Bassoon), Neil Black (Oboe), Keith Puddy (Clarinet)