Not expecting any replies to this (well, not more than 2000 anyway 8)). But, anyone know this? I impulse bought it a while back but have only just played it and only played the Symphony (1952). What a lovely work! I really recommend it. It will cheer you up, I bet if you are feeling low. I don't know much Faure apart from the Requiem and Pavane but apparently it shows the influence of Faure as well as Honegger (one of my favourite composers) and Roussel. Even my not-generally-classical-music-loving daughter commented on how much she liked it as she walked through the room where I was listening to it. It is an eloquent, melodic and charming work but not without considerable depth. I love discovering new music and this has been a lovely find for me:
[asin]B00M2D7MY0[/asin]
I remember that, say 30-40 years ago, his name appeared quite regularly on France Musique. Not only as a composer, but also as an interpreter of Fauré, Ravel and others.
This website gives more information :
(http://static.wixstatic.com/media/45b636_6175c7a3496aab8f4b65c15c12635549.jpg_srz_p_218_333_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz)
http://www.chezdamase.com/
Thanks for the heads-up!
I have nothing useful to add as I've never heard of this man, but in general, I love second-rate French composers. So much first-rate music emanates from them.
Thank you both for the replies. The website is very helpful. I have now listened to the whole CD and really enjoyed it; very eloquent and civilised music although the Symphony is quite special and I have already listened to it through four times with increasing pleasure. The darkly lyrical opening and powerful closing sections are especially fine.
The Symphony reminded me a bit of the music of John Foulds, in works like 'April, England'. Ravel also came to mind.
And You Tube gives us a chance to discover more:
Here Damase is playing his own "Spring rhapsody"
http://www.youtube.com/v/2VQdM61L_gc
and his first (1949) pianoconcerto:
http://www.youtube.com/v/PdhghrlBBAg
Peter
Damase playing Fauré in 1956: subtil et vraiment poétique.. Beautiful!
http://www.youtube.com/v/Hu_CqZqsDWA
Many thanks for the You Tube extracts. I shall look forward to listening to them. Enjoying the Symphony again at the moment - can't stop playing it.
Hello Everyone,
I created and have maintained Chez DAMASE since 1997. I'm so pleased to read of people discovering and enjoying Damase's music and work. I spent some time with him and can say he was as generous, kind, and modest as his music. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to reply or message me privately.
I'll share one of my favorites. A score that, in my opinion, should be programmed along side An American in Paris or Le boeuf sur le toit – La croqueuse de diamants (literally "The Diamond Cruncher" but best translated as The Gold Digger).
http://soundcloud.com/chezdamase/la-croqueuse-de-diamants (http://soundcloud.com/chezdamase/la-croqueuse-de-diamants)
(Sorry I couldn't figure out how to embed from Soundcloud)
Quote from: chezdamase on January 06, 2015, 06:42:52 AM
Hello Everyone,
I created and have maintained Chez DAMASE since 1997. I'm so pleased to read of people discovering and enjoying Damase's music and work. I spent some time with him and can say he was as generous, kind, and modest as his music. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to reply or message me privately.
I'll share one of my favorites. A score that, in my opinion, should be programmed along side An American in Paris or Le boeuf sur le toit – La croqueuse de diamonds (literally "The Diamond Cruncher" but best translated as The Gold Digger).
http://soundcloud.com/chezdamase/la-croqueuse-de-diamants (http://soundcloud.com/chezdamase/la-croqueuse-de-diamants)
(Sorry I couldn't figure out how to embed from Soundcloud)
Hello! How very nice of you to contribute and welcome to the forum. I just bought the Dutton CD illustrated in the opening post and fell in love with the fine Symphony; such an engaging and charming work but also one of considerable power and depth with a movingly affirmative ending. In fact the whole CD is great. How wonderful that you knew Damase! I am not surprised to hear that he was a kind and generous-hearted man, his music has a definite human warmth about it and I shall enjoy discovering more of his music, including the download which you kindly posted. Best wishes, Jeffrey
Thanks , indeed , for all the information on Jean - Michel Damase...Chez Damase.
I recently bought (2 huge and heavy volumes) the writings (1917-1947) of Dutch composer Willem Pijper - who was famous (and not always loved) for his critical points of view. Damase is not mentioned, but many now forgotten compôsers are. Do you like/study/collect composers other than Damase, f.i., George Migot, Marcel Delanoye, Alexis Roland-Manuel, Henri Rabaud etc???
Pijper's writings offer an amazing and fascinating insight into the musical world in Amsterdam , Utrecht and Rotterdam ca. 1920-1935.
(http://www.opusklassiek.nl/boeken/afbeeldingen/pijper.jpg)
"Het papieren gevaar" - The paper danger
Peter
Quote from: vandermolen on January 06, 2015, 11:48:35 AM
Hello! How very nice of you to contribute and welcome to the forum. I just bought the Dutton CD illustrated in the opening post and fell in love with the fine Symphony; such an engaging and charming work but also one of considerable power and depth with a movingly affirmative ending. In fact the whole CD is great. How wonderful that you knew Damase! I am not surprised to hear that he was a kind and generous-hearted man, his music has a definite human warmth about it and I shall enjoy discovering more of his music, including the download which you kindly posted. Best wishes, Jeffrey
It really does make all the work worthwhile to hear about someone discovering and enjoying his work!
There isn't much available – and most of it is chamber music – but for further listening I'd recommend:
Music for Flute, Harp, and Strings. Aside from the piano, Damase had an affinity and unique gift in his writing for harp and flute. The former as a result of his harpist mother, Micheline Kahn (to whom we owe a great deal, but few realize) and the latter a result of friendships with great flutists, including Jean-Pierre Rampal. (That France was, at the time, the center of the world for both instruments certainly didn't hurt.) The Quintet and Trio are early works and contain some remarkable writing, the Sonata for Flute & Harp is really a milestone, and the Variations on "Early Morning" are a great example of compositional form for which he had particular love.
Piano Music by Jean-Michel Damase by Nicholas Unwin. A recording that, more than any other available, best shows the range of his writing. Unwin is incredible, too. These are exceptionally demanding works and he makes them sound effortless.
There are other works available I'd consider essential listening,
17 Variations for wind quintet, which has been called a masterclass in writing for that combination;
Sicilienne variée for harp;
Sonate en concert for flute, piano, and cello;
Concertino for harp and orchestra;
Rhapsodie for horn and orchestra.
If you can find a recording, the 2007 production of his opera
Colombe was broadcast on Radio France. YouTube has a couple samples, but they only hint at the joy of the whole work. The curtain hadn't closed before to ovations began, if that gives you any indication.
Well, that's probably more than anyone wanted, but I hope it's helpful.
Michael
Quote from: pjme on January 07, 2015, 02:59:10 AM
I recently bought (2 huge and heavy volumes) the writings (1917-1947) of Dutch composer Willem Pijper - who was famous (and not always loved) for his critical points of view. Damase is not mentioned, but many now forgotten compôsers are. Do you like/study/collect composers other than Damase, f.i., George Migot, Marcel Delanoye, Alexis Roland-Manuel, Henri Rabaud etc???
Pijper's writings offer an amazing and fascinating insight into the musical world in Amsterdam , Utrecht and Rotterdam ca. 1920-1935.
"Het papieren gevaar" - The paper danger
Peter
Very imposing volumes, indeed. I didn't know anything about those works. I've played a piece by Pijper, but it's been some time. I should look for more. Not surprisingly, I've found very little written about Damase by colleagues or critics.
And yes, I do indeed like/study/collect quite a few under-appreciated composers. In addition to those you mentioned, I'd add Jean Cras, Manuel Rosenthal, Dag Wirén, Henk Badings, Pierre-Max Dubois, and Eugène Bozza to name a few. I'm not sure you can include him anymore, but I remember scrounging for any little piece by Jean Françaix, too. Now, a fair share of his orchestral catalogue have modern recordings.
Quote from: chezdamase on January 06, 2015, 06:42:52 AM
Hello Everyone,
I created and have maintained Chez DAMASE since 1997. I'm so pleased to read of people discovering and enjoying Damase's music and work. I spent some time with him and can say he was as generous, kind, and modest as his music. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to reply or message me privately.
I'll share one of my favorites. A score that, in my opinion, should be programmed along side An American in Paris or Le boeuf sur le toit – La croqueuse de diamants (literally "The Diamond Cruncher" but best translated as The Gold Digger).
http://soundcloud.com/chezdamase/la-croqueuse-de-diamants (http://soundcloud.com/chezdamase/la-croqueuse-de-diamants)
(Sorry I couldn't figure out how to embed from Soundcloud)
Michael, I listened to 'The Gold Digger' with much pleasure and agree with your comments. It is very charming and enjoyable, bringing to mind, at times the music of Poulenc, Gershwin, Stravinsky and also Georges Auric's beautiful and magical score for 'La Belle at La Bête' which is one of my favourites. I have greatly enjoyed discovering the music of Damase although his Symphony 1 remains my favourite. Henri Sauguet is another French composer whose music I have enjoyed discovering,especially his deeply moving 'Expiatoire' Symphony. Jeffrey
Quote from: vandermolen on January 10, 2015, 02:04:27 AM
Michael, I listened to 'The Gold Digger' with much pleasure and agree with your comments. It is very charming and enjoyable, bringing to mind, at times the music of Poulenc, Gershwin, Stravinsky and also Georges Auric's beautiful and magical score for 'La Belle at La Bête' which is one of my favourites. I have greatly enjoyed discovering the music of Damase although his Symphony 1 remains my favourite. Henri Sauguet is another French composer whose music I have enjoyed discovering,especially his deeply moving 'Expiatoire' Symphony. Jeffrey
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! Like much of his music, he wraps some quite progressive ideas in delightful disguises. I find that especially true of his approach to harmony within his very tonal language.
It's been some time since I listened to
La belle et la bête – thank you for mentioning it. The same is true of Sauguet. I have several of his symphonies that I really should spend more time learning.
I'll include one more link to a Damase work that many have enjoyed, his
Silk Rhapsody, commissioned for an silk trade event on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. (Just the idea of that seems so far away.) It's very easy to enjoy and you can hear many ideas he wove into works throughout his career.
http://youtu.be/YWmEPKDPbk8
Quote from: chezdamase on January 11, 2015, 05:42:11 AM
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! Like much of his music, he wraps some quite progressive ideas in delightful disguises. I find that especially true of his approach to harmony within his very tonal language.
It's been some time since I listened to La belle et la bête – thank you for mentioning it. The same is true of Sauguet. I have several of his symphonies that I really should spend more time learning.
I'll include one more link to a Damase work that many have enjoyed, his Silk Rhapsody, commissioned for an silk trade event on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. (Just the idea of that seems so far away.) It's very easy to enjoy and you can hear many ideas he wove into works throughout his career.
http://youtu.be/YWmEPKDPbk8
What an endearing piece (Silk Rhapsody)! This is a most civilised, enjoyable and humane work. Even my wife, who does not generally share my taste in classical music ( ::)), commented positively on it as she passed through the room where I was listening to it. It has a slightly 'Chinese' feel to it, as appropriate for the theme of the music, reminding me a bit of the music of Avshalomov, whose First Symphony I enjoy very much. Thank you very much for posting such an enjoyable work!
Just to say how much I am still enjoying the Damase disc featured in my original post. I am now really enjoying the civilised, humane and touching Piano Concerto 2. Admirers of Poulenc and Ravel should enjoy this music which I find very touching and the Symphony is a powerfully affirmative work, notwithstanding a darkly ominous sounding opening.
Am still enjoying the wonderful 'Symphonie' (1952) greatly. It is one of the most charming and inspiriting works I know and always helps to cheer me up if I am feeling a bit down. Kyle (Kyjo) likes it as well.
:)
Quote from: vandermolen on October 03, 2018, 01:45:26 AM
Am still enjoying the wonderful 'Symphonie' (1952) greatly. It is one of the most charming and inspiriting works I know and always helps to cheer me up if I am feeling a bit down. Kyle (Kyjo) likes it as well.
:)
There seems to have been a flurry of interest back in 2015 and nothing since, until today. I have never heard of Damase so I tried Spotify, the Symphonie didn't show immediately so I listened to the Ballade for Harp and Orchestra - a pleasant piece. After a bit more searching the Symphonie eventually appeared but I will have to save it for later.
The symphony is on YT now - thanks to Gunnar Frederikson (lots of good music on his YT account);
https://www.youtube.com/v/YFQS4AEpaI4
Indeed a well balanced , well orchestrated work that radiates warmth or has, at least, a general positive "vibe".
A very nice discovery!
Peter
Thanks so much Biffo and Peter. Biffo I hope that you listen to it (it is not very long) and I'd be delighted to hear your views, whether positive or negative. Personally I think that it is a most endearing work - very charming but with a certain slumbering power which I find very attractive.
Thanks again.
Jeffrey
Damase's Symphonie has been one of my finest discoveries of the year - thanks to Jeffrey (vandermolen). Notwithstanding its darkly ominous opening, it is a wonderfully life-affirming score. The ecstatically glowing tread of the latter half of the first movement is simply one of the most glorious passages in music that I know. It's a real shame Damase didn't compose any more symphonies, but he has several other very delightful (if not substantial as the Symphonie) works, such as his Piano Concerto no. 2 (on the same Dutton CD as the Symphonie) and Quintet for flute, harp, and strings (on an ASV CD of his chamber music).
I simply cannot get enough of Damase's Symphonie! I've made many great musical discoveries this year, but this inspiriting, endearing work is undoubtedly the finest of them, thanks to Jeffrey. The way Damase transforms the ominous, chromatic opening theme into a radiant blaze of glory about eight minutes into the first movement is a stroke of genius and one of the most thrilling moments in music I know. Not to mention the ending of the symphony where the theme from the first movement is triumphantly reprised. In short, this is a masterpiece that deserves many more recordings and performances around the world. Unfortunately, I'm sure most orchestras will continue churning out their 1000th performances of Beethoven's 5th and Tchaikovsky's 4th. Their loss! At least us folks at GMG are open-minded enough to not deprive ourselves of wonderful music like this that is little-known for really no reason at all. :)
Quote from: kyjo on December 29, 2018, 07:37:36 AM
I simply cannot get enough of Damase's Symphonie! I've made many great musical discoveries this year, but this inspiriting, endearing work is undoubtedly the finest of them, thanks to Jeffrey. The way Damase transforms the ominous, chromatic opening theme into a radiant blaze of glory about eight minutes into the first movement is a stroke of genius and one of the most thrilling moments in music I know. Not to mention the ending of the symphony where the theme from the first movement is triumphantly reprised. In short, this is a masterpiece that deserves many more recordings and performances around the world. Unfortunately, I'm sure most orchestras will continue churning out their 1000th performances of Beethoven's 5th and Tchaikovsky's 4th. Their loss! At least us folks at GMG are open-minded enough to not deprive ourselves of wonderful music like this that is little-known for really no reason at all. :)
I can't tell you how pleased I am that this has been such a success with you
Kyle.
All best wishes for 2019.
Acquired the most discussed cd here and am enjoying the Symphony (1952) in particular: the glorious and uplifting second half of the first movement (Moderato), after such a dark and brooding opening, is the most impressive feature, so far. Sounds more 'American' than French and reminds me a bit of Morton Gould.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91V%2BcxT%2B2GL._SY355_.jpg)
Quote from: Christo on March 23, 2019, 09:16:12 AM
Acquired the most discussed cd here and am enjoying the Symphony (1952) in particular: the glorious and uplifting second half of the first movement (Moderato), after such a dark and brooding opening, is the most impressive feature, so far. Sounds more 'American' than French and reminds me a bit of Morton Gould.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91V%2BcxT%2B2GL._SY355_.jpg)
Excellent. Delighted that you are enjoying it Johan. It has been a big hit with myself and Kyle.
:)
Quote from: Christo on March 23, 2019, 09:16:12 AM
Acquired the most discussed cd here and am enjoying the Symphony (1952) in particular: the glorious and uplifting second half of the first movement (Moderato), after such a dark and brooding opening, is the most impressive feature, so far. Sounds more 'American' than French and reminds me a bit of Morton Gould.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91V%2BcxT%2B2GL._SY355_.jpg)
My thoughts exactly, only I can't pinpoint any specific influence. The web site chezdamase discussed above mentions his penchant for repeating musical motifs, in an almost 'obsessive' way. That, along with the open harmonies of his melodic patterns suggests the 'americana' one would hear indeed in the music of Gould, Creston, Harris, Thompson etc. But how and why is a mystery. When I read that the symphony was created by Charles Munch in 1954 I thought Ahah!, a Boston commission ! But no, Munch created it in Strasbourg, so there goes my already tenuous american link... :D.
Quote from: André on March 23, 2019, 05:20:50 PM
My thoughts exactly, only I can't pinpoint any specific influence. The web site chezdamase discussed above mentions his penchant for repeating musical motifs, in an almost 'obsessive' way. That, along with the open harmonies of his melodic patterns suggests the 'americana' one would hear indeed in the music of Gould, Creston, Harris, Thompson etc. But how and why is a mystery. When I read that the symphony was created by Charles Munch in 1954 I thought Ahah!, a Boston commission ! But no, Munch created it in Strasbourg, so there goes my already tenuous american link... :D.
Interesting background info. Thanks Andre.
:)
As an excuse to bump this thread, here's a review I recently wrote on Amazon of the Dutton Damase CD:
[asin]B00M2D7MY0[/asin]
I'll start off by saying that this disc has been one of my greatest musical discoveries of all time - and I have had many! If the French composer Jean-Michel Damase (1928-2013) is known at all to the general classical music world, it is for his generally small-scale, delightful chamber works featuring the flute and/or harp. But over his long life he produced a sizeable catalogue of works which cries out for greater exposure. The disc at hand features what is one of his most substantial works - his Symphonie of 1952 - along with three succinct concerti.
How to describe Damase's style? The other reviews here should give you a good idea, but I'll add a few remarks. Damase paid no heed to the avant-garde trends of the time - which may account for his neglect; his music is steadfastly tonal and melodic. He stands in the tradition of Poulenc and Françaix, and I enjoy his music as much as, if not more than, that of the former and quite a bit more than that of the latter. Although his music has a characteristic Gallic elegance, it never descends into frivolty or inconsequentiality; in fact, it often has an underlying gravity to it that is quite affecting, especially in the case of the Symphonie. One may even been occasionally reminded of the profound lyricism of certain English composers such as Vaughan Williams or Rubbra. Yet I do not want to over-emphasize these comparisons - Damase has an instantly recognizable and compelling individual voice. If I was forced to formulate one small criticism of Damase's music, it is that he often reuses similar ideas and gestures across his works - but then a lot of composers could be accused of that!
The three concerti featured here - the Piano Concerto no. 2 (hopefully no. 1 gets recorded at some point!), the Flute Concerto, and the Concertino for piano and string orchestra - are all rather similar to each other, and certainly none the worse for that! They all radiate exuberance and an endearing, life-affirming quality that makes them stand in sharp contrast to some other music written around the same time. Many more pianists and flautists ought to take these works up in their repertoire.
Immensely enjoyable as these works are, they do not prepare you for the awe-inspiring masterwork that is the Symphonie of 1952. Written when Damase was only 24 years old, it's a work of astounding maturity and emotional impact that makes one regret that Damase did not compose any more symphonies throughout his long life. The first movement is a captivating journey from darkness to light (rather reminiscent of Honegger in his 2nd and 3rd symphonies and Christmas Cantata). It opens with a shadowy, ominous, chromatic theme in the woodwinds which eventually gives way to a gloriously simple, "rolling" theme in the violins, accompanied by an undulating horn figure. These "dark" and "light" episodes keep interrupting each other and a little more than halfway through the movement, it seems like darkness is going to prevail. The music builds to a grinding, dissonant climax when out of nowhere the horns burst through the texture with a glorious, major key version of the opening chromatic theme. The final few minutes of this movement are some of the most gloriously uplifting in all of classical music - I'm not exaggerating! The movement ends in a warm sunset glow and comes to rest on a simple C major chord. Perhaps the remaining two movements could easily be a let-down after such a magnificent first movement, but Damase keeps the inspiration burning high throughout the work. The second movement is peaceful and sometimes mysterious with its distant trumpet calls. There are some echoes of Vaughan Williams (particularly the 3rd and 5th symphonies), but the music is never derivative. In the finale, Damase juxtaposes jaunty, rhythmic episodes with quieter, lyrical ones. Again, there is some great horn writing and imaginative orchestration overall. The work ends with a triumphant recapitulation of material from the ending of the first movement. That final C major chord will bring you to your feet in exaltation!
Every work featured on this disc (particularly the Symphonie) is absolutely first-rate and the neglect they have suffered over the years has been completely undeserved. How about orchestras start programming these works (and numerous others by worthy lesser-known composers) instead of just endlessly recycling the same old "warhorses" by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Mahler, etc.? I am sure any audience would fall in love with Damase's music if they were simply exposed to it. Major kudos to Dutton Epoch, conductor Martin Yates, pianist Ashley Wass, flautist Anna Noakes, and the BBC Concert Orchestra for filling this important gap in the catalogue. The performances these musicians give throughout the disc are consistently excellent, which is very fortunate since we are not likely to receive more recordings of these works anytime soon.
In summary, this disc receives my utmost highest recommendation not just for specialists in obscure music or French music, but for all classical music listeners. Damase's wonderful music demands to be heard!
A superb review, Kyle! I found the Symphonie more than satisfying and very good when I listened to it. I recall it like "music from a fairy land", undoubtedly luminous and very well written. And once again I share your views about the mainstream being performed to tiredness. As great as those warhorses are, concert halls need to have more variated programs (yes, even more so!) that include magnificent works like the Damase and other akin works. I could imagine people getting crazy by works of composers like Tubin, Braga Santos, Respighi, Szymanowski, Suk, Glazunov, etc. The concert halls would be on fire!
Yes, I second Cesar's comments. Excellent review Kyle and I was very interested in your Honegger comparison which I think is rather apt.
Thanks, guys. I knew I could count on you to echo my remarks! ;D
Let me echo your remarks too: :D
Quote from: kyjo on July 17, 2019, 03:08:26 PM
In summary, this disc receives my utmost highest recommendation not just for specialists in obscure music or French music, but for all classical music listeners. Damase's wonderful music demands to be heard!
This great Frenchman never ceases to delight me! Lately I've discovered two more works of his:
Serenade for flute and strings: This three-movement work from 1956 shows Damase exploring some of the same darker, chromatic waters found in the first movement of his Symphonie, which are of course relieved by those oases of bright-eyed lyricism so typical of his style. It's included in this recent Nimbus release:
[asin]B07KLTV91T[/asin]
There's also a recording on YT featuring Jean-Pierre Rampal:
https://youtu.be/rFdShSZI0KY
Rhapsodie de Printemps for piano and orchestra: Dating from 1957, this work is sheer joyous bliss from beginning to end. Too much of a good thing, maybe, but who could resist? The sound quality in the below YT video isn't ideal, but it doesn't prevent the gorgeousness of this music from shining through. Hopefully it gets commercially recorded soon!
https://youtu.be/2VQdM61L_gc
Quote from: kyjo on October 18, 2019, 10:00:37 AM
This great Frenchman never ceases to delight me! Lately I've discovered two more works of his:
Serenade for flute and strings: This three-movement work from 1956 shows Damase exploring some of the same darker, chromatic waters found in the first movement of his Symphonie, which are of course relieved by those oases of bright-eyed lyricism so typical of his style. It's included in this recent Nimbus release:
[asin]B07KLTV91T[/asin]
There's also a recording on YT featuring Jean-Pierre Rampal:
https://youtu.be/rFdShSZI0KY
Rhapsodie de Printemps for piano and orchestra: Dating from 1957, this work is sheer joyous bliss from beginning to end. Too much of a good thing, maybe, but who could resist? The sound quality in the below YT video isn't ideal, but it doesn't prevent the gorgeousness of this music from shining through. Hopefully it gets commercially recorded soon!
https://youtu.be/2VQdM61L_gc
Great stuff Kyle! Thanks for the links.
:)
Fun fact on Damase — I just found out that he gave the world premiere of this miniature by Darius Milhaud in 1937 (when he was nine years old):
https://www.youtube.com/v/WLVMWQAzWXs
Sadly the piece itself, Le tour de l'Exposition, Op. 162, isn't worth much. An interesting historical tidbit nonetheless.
Quote from: schnittkease on October 05, 2020, 05:19:55 PM
Fun fact on Damase — I just found out that he gave the world premiere of this miniature by Darius Milhaud in 1937 (when he was nine years old):
https://www.youtube.com/v/WLVMWQAzWXs
Sadly the piece itself, Le tour de l'Exposition, Op. 162, isn't worth much. An interesting historical tidbit nonetheless.
Interesting indeed! It's a very charming piece and that CD features some of my favourites like Honegger and Sauguet.
uh-oh:
Video unavailable
This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated.
http://kritzerland.com/colombe.htm
Quote from: Roy Bland on December 19, 2021, 06:52:13 PM
http://kritzerland.com/colombe.htm
Hey, is there no a previous description about it? ??? :-\
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.
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)
(//)
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
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!
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!
(https://www.propermusic.com/media/catalog/product/cache/770f7f65d519370eea7ae1a9215d2a64/0/8/0884502160550.jpg)
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. :)
(https://uraniarecords.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/14028-cover2.jpg)
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.
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!