Les sylvains (‘The fauns’) is clearly structured around two sharply differentiated ideas and textures—the first gravely lyrical, with a gently pulsating accompaniment, mainly in low registers, and the other playful, mostly in higher regions, suggestive both of flute music and capricious acrobatics. Are these two fauns, old and young, or simply two sides of essential faun nature? The mocking glitter of the closing bars shows which has the upper hand.
from notes by Calum MacDonald © 1996
