Jean-Michel Damase (1928-2013)

Started by vandermolen, January 04, 2015, 05:24:56 AM

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vandermolen

#40
Quote from: Carshot on January 06, 2022, 10:18:32 AM
All

As a new convert to the works of Jean-Michel it's great to find some opinions and recommendations on this platform. I found my way to his music by a work not mentioned so far here so thought I would give it a plug - Eugene le Mysterieux, a 1963 stage work. Tuneful and full of life. The original cast can be found included in this box set:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Damase-Mysterieux-Cahanson-Wal-Berg-Casanova/dp/B0000263GY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3A2M9NGZLDSQZ&keywords=Damase%3A+Eugene+Le+Mysterieux&qid=1641496092&sprefix=damase+eugene+le+mysterieux%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-1

Since hearing the above I have bought several CDs and have got stuck on the Dutton one at the start of the discussion - it won't leave my player! Also awaiting the opera Colombe (with the ballet PIÈGE DE LUMIÈRE) two Cd set  from the Kritzerland label.

Thanks to all for the recommendations.
Having read this post am now enjoying the fine life-affirming 'Symphonie' again:

Jean-Michel Damase (1928-2013)

"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

Carshot

#41
For those who may have been considering the Dutton Damase CD release (which includes the Symphonie discussed on this board and other goodies) it is currently included in their February sale for just £4.99 plus postage. I can't recommend it highly enough.

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLX7309

vandermolen

Quote from: Carshot on February 01, 2022, 06:33:04 AM
For those who may have been considering the Dutton Damase CD release (which includes the Symphonie discussed on this board and other goodies) it is currently included in their February sale for just £4.99 plus postage. I can't recommend it highly enough.

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLX7309
+1
What a bargain!
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).

kyjo

Quote from: Carshot on February 01, 2022, 06:33:04 AM
For those who may have been considering the Dutton Damase CD release (which includes the Symphonie discussed on this board and other goodies) it is currently included in their February sale for just £4.99 plus postage. I can't recommend it highly enough.

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLX7309

Hopefully this will encourage more people to discover this utterly treasurable recording! :)

After listening to quite a few of Damase's works, I'd say that he may have had a rather "limited" stylistic range, and he tends to repeat certain motives/gestures/harmonic progressions across his works, but hey - it's hard to complain when the music is so beautiful, elegant, charming, and personal!
"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Roy Bland


kyjo

I've recently discovered Damase's Trio for Flute, Oboe, and Piano, the second movement of which is an absolutely delightful distillation of his compositional style in just 3 1/2 minutes of music:

https://youtu.be/EaNI-P2Re4Y

The movement is comprised of three distinctive themes: the first is an unbelievably catchy, jaunty tune, the second is a melancholic, rather sultry melody in the minor, and the third is a lovely, peaceful theme that ends the movement in Damase's typical glowing fashion. Absolute perfection! I've been kinda addicted to this movement recently and it's put a great big smile on my face every time I listen. :)
"Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music" - Sergei Rachmaninoff

Roy Bland


Carshot

#47
Great to see a second Dutton CD from Martin Yates and the BBC Concert Orchestra on the works of Jean-Michel Damase.

World Premiere Recordings.

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLX7410

I have ordered it today.

vandermolen

Quote from: Carshot on March 21, 2024, 12:46:13 AMGreat to see a second Dutton CD from Martin Yates and the BBC Concert Orchestra on the works of Jean-Michel Damase.

World Premiere Recordings.

https://www.duttonvocalion.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=CDLX7410

I have ordered it today.
Yes, I spotted that too. Good news!
"Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" (Churchill).

'The test of a work of art is, in the end, our affection for it, not our ability to explain why it is good' (Stanley Kubrick).