Jean Cras (1879 - 1932)

[vandermolen]

I'm late to the party too but this looks interesting. The fact that he evidently liked cats (see initial post) is a great plus for me. 
Will look out for Timpani discs.

[Mirror Image]

I'm late to the party too but this looks interesting. The fact that he evidently liked cats (see initial post) is a great plus for me. 
Will look out for Timpani discs.

Yeah, you should definitely check him out, Jeffrey. I was reading a post from Brian earlier on this thread stating that Cras' String Trio was a top-notch work, so this is the first work I checked and, he was right on the money, it was an awesome piece.

https://www.youtube.com/v/QN7bkwwA8TM

https://www.youtube.com/v/fBXCJ9HGji4

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

https://www.youtube.com/v/w6L9ScolzKk

[Mirror Image]

Jeffrey, these are all the Cras recordings I have on the way:

It should be noted that the recording of the orchestral works is a 2-CD set. The recording of Polyphème is a 3-CD set.

[The new erato]

Jeffrey, these are all the Cras recordings I have on the way:

It should be noted that the recording of the orchestral works is a 2-CD set. The recording of Polyphème is a 3-CD set.

Polyphème it was, not Polyeucte as I wrote (from meomy while at work).

[Mirror Image]

Polyphème it was, not Polyeucte as I wrote (from meomy while at work).

Do you own any of these Cras recordings, erato? If yes, what do you make of the music? Any favorite works?

[Mirror Image]

I'm a great fan. Of all the slightly unknown frenchmen on Timpani, Cra is by far the most interesting and I hav a fair selection of the Timpani issues. His opera Polyeucte is truly great,

Sorry I missed this post, erato. Good to hear you're a fan as well.

[Brian]

I seem to remember some of the orchestral songs being poorly/unattractively sung, but the "Flute, harp & strings" CD is one of my favorite French music CDs ever, and a lot of the orchestral music is very attractive. Maybe derivative of Debussy, but derivative in a way that is still good and enjoyable.

I've heard the cello sonata, piano trio, and piano quintet, but can't remember my impressions. Maybe time to listen again.

EDIT: Oh hey I talked about the cello sonata earlier in the thread. And those CD covers are still the best.

[Drasko]

...the "Flute, harp & strings" CD is one of my favorite French music CDs ever, and a lot of the orchestral music is very attractive. Maybe derivative of Debussy, but derivative in a way that is still good and enjoyable.

...And those CD covers are still the best.

Seconded! Quintet for harp flute and string trio is one my favorite French chamber pieces. Piano Quintet is delightful as well, light and effervescent.

https://www.youtube.com/v/Q-ATDBgDbLE

Quintet for harp flute and string trio

[Mirror Image]

I've been listening to this recording tonight:



My initial impressions are pretty straight-forward: fantastic recording! The impression I'm getting from this music, and forgive me if this sounds cliche/mundane/moronic, that this is music of the ocean. But no violent storms here, this music is gently flowing, extremely lyrical, with plenty of interesting harmonic touches, and, it has this seafaring quality to the melodies. I'm not sure how to put my finger on it, but I feel like I'm walking down the beach and really taking in all of the sights and sounds. This music could very well be the perfect accompaniment for such a walk.

[KevinP]

A recent discovery for me.

Alas, based on an Amazon search, no CDs are in print. Not saying you can't buy any, but they're used, or at best old stock, and going for prices higher than they would have when released.

[Roasted Swan]

A recent discovery for me.

Alas, based on an Amazon search, no CDs are in print. Not saying you can't buy any, but they're used, or at best old stock, and going for prices higher than they would have when released.

pursue them if you can - Cras was quite a discovery for me a few years back.....

[Biffo]

I have several albums of Jean Cras but I bought them all as lossless downloads - don't know if they are still available.

[ritter]

The enterprising Timpani label championed Cras' music with several releases (including hir opera Polyphème), but AFAIK that label ceased operations some years ago. The releases can still be downloaded I believe (from Presto, for instance).

[KevinP]

pursue them if you can - Cras was quite a discovery for me a few years back.....

I saw a three-disc set of Orchestral works for USD60+. That was high, but I eventually convinced myself to get it. Afterall, a three-disc set of classical music cost that much in the 1980s. But my hesitation worked against me. I went to get it from Amazon today and the same set is now $120 (with some used sets in the $80+ range). Don't know if the seller raised the price or someone snatched the cheaper one, but it doesn't matter.

Of course, there's another single-disc title going for $999.00. (Well, probably not 'going' anywhere at that price.)

So, I guess I'm staying with YouTube for a while longer.

I agree that his music is a great discovery though.

[kyjo]

IMHO Cras' finest works are fully the equal of much of Debussy and Ravel. While his music may share a similar "impressionistic" sound-world as these two composers, I don't find that his style is too derivative of either. He had a real penchant for creating sunny, life-affirming music full of bright colors and exotic influences which betray his love of the sea (he was, after all, a naval captain). I would particularly single out his two quintets - the Piano Quintet and the one for flute, harp, and strings - as being truly inspired and beguiling in the best French tradition. His String Quartet, String Trio, and Piano Concerto also deserve a mention. I should check out his opera Polyphème which has received some rave reviews!

[KevinP]

(he was, after all, a naval captain)

Rear admiral, in fact.

I really love Journal de Bord. It's almost monothematic. The theme you hear in the opening French horn line, plus one other motif you hear a little later, generates all the music you hear in the movement.

I just finished discussing it at length in the class mentioned in this thread:
https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,29447.0.html

[Roasted Swan]

Rear admiral, in fact.

I really love Journal de Bord. It's almost monothematic. The theme you hear in the opening French horn line, plus one other motif you hear a little later, generates all the music you hear in the movement.

I just finished discussing it at length in the class mentioned in this thread:
https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,29447.0.html

Yup - tremendous piece

[Mirror Image]

I saw a three-disc set of Orchestral works for USD60+. That was high, but I eventually convinced myself to get it. Afterall, a three-disc set of classical music cost that much in the 1980s. But my hesitation worked against me. I went to get it from Amazon today and the same set is now $120 (with some used sets in the $80+ range). Don't know if the seller raised the price or someone snatched the cheaper one, but it doesn't matter.

Of course, there's another single-disc title going for $999.00. (Well, probably not 'going' anywhere at that price.)

So, I guess I'm staying with YouTube for a while longer.

I agree that his music is a great discovery though.

Actually, the set isn't 3-CDs, but 2. I own all of those Cras Timpani releases back when they weren't OOP and difficult to find and I actually haven't thought about him or heard any of his music in years.

What I remember about him is what @kyjo said that, while his music certainly is Impressionistic, he is his own man when talking about his style and I would agree that he isn't derivative of Debussy or Ravel.

I really ought to revisit some of his music.

[Daverz]

I was deeply impressed by this Oxalys CD of Cras chamber music, which was my introduction to the composer:

A worthy companion to the chamber music of Ravel and Debussy.

[Mirror Image]

I was deeply impressed by this Oxalys CD of Cras chamber music, which was my introduction to the composer:

A worthy companion to the chamber music of Ravel and Debussy.

That's exquisite, @Daverz. I already own the works sans the song cycle La Flûte de Pan but another recording will never hurt, especially when they're as beautiful as this one. I've seen this recording before, but I forgot about it so thanks for mentioning it.