Search - Cecile Chaminade, Eric Parkin :: Chaminade: Piano Works

DEFINITELY WORTH A LISTEN

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 01/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This single disc assortment of short piano works by Cecile Chaminade (1857-1944) is long on beauty and originality. Academes may scoff at her talent; record companies may be reticent to release her music; most devotees of the piano will probably recognize her name, if only as a footnote. However, with pieces such as the Serenade, Op. 29 and Air de Ballet, Op. 30, alone, Chaminade can hold her own with distinction. And these are only two of the jewels found on this enchanting CD. Eric Parkin, champion of "lost" composers, should be lauded for his empathy; he brings to the music a genuine breadth and depth most refreshing. The recording, as well, atmospherically warms the playing. These are not 19th century salon miniatures for convenient upper-class tea parties. Fact is, most can stand easily, for example, beside the best Grieg Lyric Pieces or Mendelssohn Songs Without Words, although I shudder at comparison at all. Because, really, Chaminade has her own voice. And it's a darned strong voice, too. She is an elegant composer."