Charles Koechlin(1867-1950)

[jowcol]

BTW my only Koechlin contribution - I admire the pieces I know, and what I know best is Les Heures Persanes, which I know in both versions and which I play myself in their piano incarnation too. Fabulous writing for the instrument. Something in the style - the piano style, the notation style, the mysticism and sensuality - reminds me of Jolivet, a composer we hardly see mentioned round here. Not just Jolivet, but I thought I'd throw his name into the mix!

Another Ondiste.  I dont know much Jolivet, but I like his concerto for the ondes Martenot.

[The Six]

Everyone should search for Koechlin's Hommage a Fauré. A group of composers wrote one upon Fauré's death with letters in his name making up the melody; Koechlin's in particular I find to be strikingly heartfelt and unique. It's more than just him playing with the letters.

[Mirror Image]

But I wanted the original packaging and booklet.

Sarge

Spoken like a true collector. I'm proud of you, young Jedi.

[Scarpia]

Spoken like a true collector. I'm proud of you, young Jedi.

You have much to learn, grasshopper.   0:)

[Mirror Image]

You have much to learn, grasshopper.   0:)

Ah, you speak too soon, young Padawan.

[SonicMan46]

I've recently heard some Koechlin for the first time, these were the CDs:



I have only sampled each disc just to get a flavor of the music but can tell that he will be another French composer I will enjoy.  I've also got the Zinman recording of The Jungle Book but have not listened to that at all yet.  I am not sure why he is considered "fringe" or "exotic", at least so far, what I have heard is late 19th-early 20th century French music similar to Milhaud or Poulenc.

I especially like the saxophone disc.

I own both discs above - recommended; I really love the saxophone recording - just ordered the Jungle Book w/ Zinman! 

[Mirror Image]

just ordered the Jungle Book w/ Zinman! 

Excellent choice. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

[Mirror Image]

BTW my only Koechlin contribution - I admire the pieces I know, and what I know best is Les Heures Persanes, which I know in both versions and which I play myself in their piano incarnation too. Fabulous writing for the instrument. Something in the style - the piano style, the notation style, the mysticism and sensuality - reminds me of Jolivet, a composer we hardly see mentioned round here. Not just Jolivet, but I thought I'd throw his name into the mix!

Outside of The Persian Hours, what else do you enjoy? Have you heard his Jungle Book? By the way, I love The Persian Hours what an atmospheric work. It has such a subtlety to that if you're not paying attention you'll miss those beautiful harmonic flourishes.

[Sid]

Just spent an hour on youtube listening to a variety of excerpts from Koechlin:

First I listened to this 9 minute excerpt from Le Buisson Ardent conducted by Segerstam. Nice piece. I liked the lush filmic quality & it flowed along very nicely. IMO it sounded most similar to Debussy, but the world of late Romantics like Grieg, Scriabin & Mahler was not too far away either...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39aSihd_s5I&feature=related

Next I listened to the first two movements of the Sonata for Oboe & Piano Op. 58. The first movement for me was a bit boring & didn't quite get off the ground, but the scherzo had some bounce at least. For the most part, these two movements were quite lyrical and innocuous to listen to, but they didn't sound easy to play either.

Then some solo piano music, two pieces from From ' Paysages et Marines ', Op. 63 Nos. 3 & 5, played by Philip Sear (below). This is more like it! Some of the harmonies remind me of Ives or Ornstein, it's like a more civilised and European version of their solo piano music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7xOEnkWYic&feature=related

Then part one of Le Livre de la Jungle - V. Les Bandar-log, Op.176 (1939-1940) with RSO Berlin under David Zinman. This is also interesting, the way in which the initial tranquil scene is interrupted by chaos probably shows the influence of Stravinsky. Some disjointed counterpoint towards the end is straight out of something by Villa-Lobos, but probably more quirky.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0lFhFxn_xw&feature=watch_response_rev

Finally, the "Marlene Dietrich" (5th) movement from the The Seven Stars' Symphony, op. 132 (1933) played by the Deutsches Symphonie - Orchester Berlin conducted by James Judd. Like the use of the sax, makes it sound a bit like a film score (appropriately). Towards the end, a bit of the pathos of Mahler's Adagietto from his 5th symphony comes to mind, but with much less angst.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kdomFs3FCM&feature=related

All up, some interesting music, not a bad way to spend an hour online. I'm not rushing out to buy any of his music, but Koechlin was an interesting composer for sure, synthesising influences from a number of disparate sources very effectively...

[Mirror Image]

Just spent an hour on youtube listening to a variety of excerpts from Koechlin:

First I listened to this 9 minute excerpt from Le Buisson Ardent conducted by Segerstam. Nice piece. I liked the lush filmic quality & it flowed along very nicely. IMO it sounded most similar to Debussy, but the world of late Romantics like Grieg, Scriabin & Mahler was not too far away either...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39aSihd_s5I&feature=related

Next I listened to the first two movements of the Sonata for Oboe & Piano Op. 58. The first movement for me was a bit boring & didn't quite get off the ground, but the scherzo had some bounce at least. For the most part, these two movements were quite lyrical and innocuous to listen to, but they didn't sound easy to play either.

Then some solo piano music, two pieces from From ' Paysages et Marines ', Op. 63 Nos. 3 & 5, played by Philip Sear (below). This is more like it! Some of the harmonies remind me of Ives or Ornstein, it's like a more civilised and European version of their solo piano music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7xOEnkWYic&feature=related

Then part one of Le Livre de la Jungle - V. Les Bandar-log, Op.176 (1939-1940) with RSO Berlin under David Zinman. This is also interesting, the way in which the initial tranquil scene is interrupted by chaos probably shows the influence of Stravinsky. Some disjointed counterpoint towards the end is straight out of something by Villa-Lobos, but probably more quirky.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0lFhFxn_xw&feature=watch_response_rev

Finally, the "Marlene Dietrich" (5th) movement from the The Seven Stars' Symphony, op. 132 (1933) played by the Deutsches Symphonie - Orchester Berlin conducted by James Judd. Like the use of the sax, makes it sound a bit like a film score (appropriately). Towards the end, a bit of the pathos of Mahler's Adagietto from his 5th symphony comes to mind, but with much less angst.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kdomFs3FCM&feature=related

All up, some interesting music, not a bad way to spend an hour online. I'm not rushing out to buy any of his music, but Koechlin was an interesting composer for sure, synthesising influences from a number of disparate sources very effectively...

Glad you enjoyed some of Koechlin, Sid. Obviously, there's a lot to this composer's sound-world. One minute he casts an Impressionistic spell on the listener, then, like in many sections of The Jungle Book, he veers towards atonality and a kind of Stravinskian/Bartokian primitivism. You should definitely try and explore more of his music at some point. His music rewards the listener.

[Mirror Image]

Is Chant funebre a la memoire des jeunes femmes defuntes just an incredible piece of music or what?

[The new erato]

Yes it is. My favorite work from a great set. I think I posted on it a year or so ago when I had a similar phase with these great Holliger discs.

[Mirror Image]

Haydnfan or Scarpia have you received your copies of The Jungle Book yet? I'm curious to hear your impressions of the music.

[Scarpia]

Haydnfan or Scarpia have you received your copies of The Jungle Book yet? I'm curious to hear your impressions of the music.

It has arrived but I'm not sure when I'll have time to listen.

[Mirror Image]

It has arrived but I'm not sure when I'll have time to listen.

Just let me know when you hear it and what your impressions are. I'm always curious to hear what people have to say about Koechlin's music whether positive or negative. He's so unique.

P.S. I knew I forgot somebody. SonicMan let me know your impressions as well when you hear it. Amazing three people bought the same recording in the same week.

[DavidW]

Haydnfan or Scarpia have you received your copies of The Jungle Book yet? I'm curious to hear your impressions of the music.

Mine hasn't arrived yet.

[Mirror Image]

Mine hasn't arrived yet.

Let me know what you think about it once you've heard the complete cycle. As I said, I'm always curious to know what people think of Koechlin's music.

[Mirror Image]

Has anyone heard their Jungle Book recording with Zinman yet? Scarpia, David?

[Scarpia]

Has anyone heard their Jungle Book recording with Zinman yet? Scarpia, David?

Sorry, what listening time I had available this weekend went to Schnittke, Vaughan Williams and some Mozart.  It's on the pile, though.

[Mirror Image]

Sorry, what listening time I had available this weekend went to Schnittke, Vaughan Williams and some Mozart.  It's on the pile, though.

This is good. I'm not sure how big of a fan you are of Impressionism, but Koechlin developed his own unique brand of it.