'[The Poème] is a delightful work, in free form, given a provocative, tenderly phrased and sympathetic performance by Graffin and the Chilingirian … charming collection, beautifully played'(Classic CD)
'It is truly like hearing it for the first time, at least in this performance, which is far more than just technically superb' (American Record Guide)
'A welcome successor to these artists' magnificent Hyperion [earlier Chausson recording] ... the Piano Trio of 1881 receives a commanding performance - quite the finest I've heard' (Hi Fi News)
'The opulent sound of this disc is ideal for Chausson … Philippe Graffin’s sensuous unforced tone sails above the texture … [he] gives a plangent account of the solo part, with something of that sense of freedom that Ysaÿe, the work’s sponsor, would certainly have conveyed ... Neidich’s playing is quite remarkable for its breadth of expression in the Andante as well as for the extraordinarily brilliantly articulated Allegro. Hoffman and Devoyon are equally convincing in the beautiful, dreamy Pièce for cello and piano' (Gramophone)
'Philippe Graffin’s solo violin and Pascal Devoyon’s piano recreate music which, in Debussy’s words, "becomes the very feeling which inspires its emotion"' (The Times)
'This is one of the most beautiful discs of chamber music I have ever heard. In every respect it is sheer perfection, the young French violinist, Philippe Graffin, playing with a passion you may be fortunate enough to hear once in your life' (Yorkshire Post)
'A particularly beautiful performance of the Poème by Graffin in the world premiere recording of the chamber version' (The Guardian)
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This recording brings together four of Chausson's chamber works from different periods of his short life. His youthful Piano Trio and the Andante and Allegro date from April 1881; the Pièce for cello and piano—one of his last compositions—from 1897. Throughout his life the composer favoured vocal and chamber music. He wrote the Andante and Allegro (which is much more adventurous than its simple title implies) while preparing for the Prix de Rome. It was followed by the admirable and passionate Piano Trio in G minor, a work of an altogether different calibre and hue. The programme's highlight is the first recording of the famous Poème in a version for piano, violin and string quartet (the same combination as for the famous Concert in D major, Op 21), discovered by chance in 1996. This CD is a companion to the already issued disc of the Concert and the Piano Quartet by these artists (CDA66907). Chausson's only remaining chamber work, the String Quartet, was also recorded and intended for this disc, but it was too long. It is now available on CDA67097with the String Quartet No 2 of Vincent d'Indy, also played by the Chilingirian Quartet. |