Jean Cras (1879 - 1932)

Started by Kullervo, November 11, 2008, 10:07:13 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

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.  8)
Will look out for Timpani discs.
"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).

Mirror Image

#21
Quote from: vandermolen on October 11, 2015, 11:13:04 PM
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.  8)
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

#22
Jeffrey, these are all the Cras recordings I have on the way:

Quote from: Mirror Image on October 11, 2015, 10:57:13 AM







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

Quote from: Mirror Image on October 12, 2015, 07:16:42 AM
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

Quote from: The new erato on October 12, 2015, 07:28:47 AM
Polyphème it was, not Polyeucte as I wrote (from meomy while at work).

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

Mirror Image

Quote from: The new erato on October 11, 2015, 08:45:14 PM
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. 8)

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

Quote from: Brian on October 12, 2015, 07:42:39 AM
...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.