Topic: 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.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/QN7bkwwA8TM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/QN7bkwwA8TM</a>

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/fBXCJ9HGji4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/fBXCJ9HGji4</a>

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/JdEltwrVJnw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/JdEltwrVJnw</a>

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/w6L9ScolzKk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/w6L9ScolzKk</a>

[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.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/Q-ATDBgDbLE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/Q-ATDBgDbLE</a>

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.