Piano Exercice

Louise Farrenc was one of the most respected pianists and composers in the 19th-century Parisian music scene, and her four sets of Études are her most important compositions for piano. Beautiful melodies and distinctiveness of character have made the Études, Op. 26 the most popular set, but all of these pieces are full of grace and charm alongside their didactic usefulness in their references to the styles both of Farrenc’s musical ancestors and her contemporaries. The Greek pianist Maria Stratigou is one of Louise Farrenc’s greatest exponents and makes her Grand Piano debut with these exquisite rarities.

Germaine Tailleferre is best known for being the only female member of the French group of composers known as Les Six, and her stylish combination of neo-Classicism with a ready wit and energy can be compared to Poulenc and Milhaud. From the captivating Romance written while still a student, to her sparkling music for the 1937 Paris international exhibition, all of these pieces show Tailleferre as being very much at the heart of the contemporary French musical scene. This recording, described by the composer’s granddaughter as being ‘as though Tailleferre herself was perfoming these works’, is the first of three volumes presenting the complete piano music played by Nicolas Horvath.

«Uhlig does Schumann proud in every respect. He mantains an admirable balance of brilliance and good sense, with superb voicing, delineating every silken skein of the cat-'s cradle textures with clarity and grace. And though the music celebrates virtuosity - to which Uhlig rises impeccably - there's still a touching humility to his interpretations.»

Une série d'oeuvres charmantes, il serait dommage de passer à côté de ce duo de pianistes brillants. Certains passages exigent une virtuosité certaine mais Ivaldi et Lee sont à l'aise dans cet exercice et ils se connaissaient si bien. A consommer sans modération !