Fauré Nocturnes
Daniel Grimwood:
Piano
Edition Peters EPS 001 [72:14]Buy/download from:
A
new disc from a new record label. In 2011, the German music publisher Edition
Peters set up a London-based artist management agency, and now with this
release they are adding a record label to the portfolio. There is plenty of precedent
for this sort thing, of course, even if it does suggest an industry shrinking
to the point that companies must cover all bases to remain viable. Edition
Peters brings all the production values of its sheet music to the project. The
packaging is attractive, the texts readable and relevant, although a little
more on the music itself might have been nice: We get a short essay from the
pianist himself about the works, and of course an artist bio. Peters also
includes a cheeky advert for their own edition of the music.
Fauré’s
nocturnes are an excellent choice for this first release, attractive and
engaging music that is all but unknown, with only a handful of competitors in
the catalogue. It is difficult to hear them as a cycle – they span opp. 33 to 119
– but there is remarkable stylistic consistency here. And variety too. Fauré
regularly strays from his brief and indulges in dramatic and virtuosic
climaxes. The nocturnal mood is always retained though. And whatever else we
might say about this music, there is never any suggestion that the composer is
under Chopin’s thumb.
Most
of the competition on disc is from French pianists, Pascal Rogé and Jean-Michel
Damase among them. Daniel Grimwood’s readings aren’t as dreamy as theirs, but
they are just as convincing. One of the points Grimwood makes in his liner
essay is that Fauré’s harmonies are radical, if in a modest “conservative
revolutionary” way. The pianist goes out of his way to present these unusual
harmonic progressions with the utmost clarity. There are also many unexpected
suspensions and piquant dissonances, which he always relishes and even lingers
on.
The
recording was made at Nimbus’ Wyaston Estate Studio and the audio is excellent,
a little on the dry side but always involving and clear. Recommended then, as
much for the fine performance and recording as for the fascinating and too
rarely heard repertoire.
No comments:
Post a Comment