Pierre-Octave Ferroud (1900-36)

[schnittkease]

"Pierre-Octave Ferroud was born in 1900 in Lyons and was killed in a car accident in Hungary in August 1936. In this short period of time he established himself as a major figure in French music. As a critic he contributed regularly to Paris Soir and from time to time to other publications, providing himself in this way with a means of subsistence. He gained in Paris and in many travels throughout Europe a number of international contacts, and through the foundation of his chamber music ensemble, Triton, was able to introduce to French audiences contemporary music from abroad. He was also successful as a composer, with performances of his works by distinguished musicians and under well-known conductors. These works, contributions to almost every form of music, reflect the French aesthetic of the inter-war period in a thoroughly personal musical idiom, making some use of both imaginative caricatures and strict principles of construction. Pulsating rhythms and harmonic sharpness, keeping melodic tonality in a tonal center, characterize most of his works."

Poulenc was devastated by Ferroud's death and wrote multiple religious pieces in his memory. Any fans (besides Francis)?

[pjme]

Beautiful & Superbly orchestrated.

https://www.youtube.com/v/vhzW7TrkdUA

https://www.youtube.com/v/PosyEHxQh4A

P.

[KevinP]

A local flautist I follow on YouTube released a video yesterday of his three pieces for solo flute, and now I'm exploring his work.

[kyjo]

Ferroud was definitely an intriguing composer who died too young. I listened to this recording not too long ago:



The Symphony in A is a solid, serious work reminiscent of Honegger and Roussel's late style, without quite reaching the level of inspiration of those two composers. Types and the Sérénade are lighter, wittier works in the spirit of Les Six. But the star of the show is surely the tone poem Foules (Crowds), a riotous display of brash orchestral color and bold dissonances.

[André]

This is an excellent intro to Ferroud. I really like the symphony and Foules.

Krivine and friends ave added another Ferroud offering to what is otherwise a barren cd catalogue. I've ordered it and will post here when I've listened to it.

Very alluring album cover.