Solitaire Suite

Much of the richly diverse oeuvre of Albert Roussel (1869-1937) grew from his far-flung travels as a young navy officer. One of the major French composers of his time, he produced music that embraces the exotic colours of so-called Impressionism, the rigour of his training at Vincent d’Indy’s Schola Cantorum, and the questing spirit of Modernism. Containing a number of CD premieres, this wide-ranging edition features such performers as Jean Martinon, Charles Munch and Claire Croiza – all colleagues of the composer, who makes appearances as both conductor and pianist – André Cluytens, Michel Plasson and José van Dam.

Bernard Moitessier a acquis une renommée internationale après son tour du monde et demi en solitaire, en 1968-1969, à la suite duquel il publie La Longue Route, sans doute le livre le plus emblématique, qui fut traduit dans plusieurs langues. Un chant, un poème à la mer, où l'homme, son bateau et les éléments se pénètrent et vibrent à l'unisson. Parti le 22 août 1968 de Plymouth pour participer au tour du monde en solitaire et sans escale organisé par le Sunday Times, Bernard Moitessier, après avoir « bouclé la boucle » en vainqueur, ne s'arrête pas et décide de poursuivre sa route. …

Poulenc the miniaturist par excellence burst into public view, fully-formed in his late teens, emerging flamboyantly into the artistic swirl of 1920s Paris. His fabulously inventive, quirky and colourful approach to writing for chamber ensemble and voice comes vividly to life in this set of early works which capture all of his youthful elegance, wit, and occasionally sardonic humour.

The virtuoso pianist Lionel Monnet has recorded Stenheim’s second Acoustic Session at the Espace Consonance in Switzerland where he is the artist in residence. Once again Stenheim was able to call on the talents of Jean-Claude Gaberel to engineer the session. Lionel Monnet has won numerous prizes for his playing and has been invited to perform at venues throughout Europe and beyond. This session showcases his talents brilliantly, as well as the exceptional acoustics of the venue.

Arild Brøter has unveiled “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service Suite: Part 1,” the first single from his new album, A Spectre of Sounds: James Bond Music Reimagined. This suite comprises four themes from the film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”: the main theme, “Gumbold’s Safe,” “Over and Out,” and the iconic “James Bond Theme.” The track features an electric, uptempo arrangement with numerous twists, showcasing Brøter’s innovative approach.