Search - Charles Koechlin, Kathryn Stott, Federico Mondelci :: Etudes for Saxophone & Piano

Marvelous

Jean Luc Orsi | USA | 11/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A gorgeous performance of Koechlin's 15 Études and 7 Pièces for piano and saxophone. The composer deserves to be better known and to share the consideration and audience of his contemporary French equals (Debussy, Ravel and Milhaud to quote just a few). His deep understanding of the quality and potential of the instrument opens the gate of an apparently inextinguishable harmonic and melodic flow. Mandelci and Stott seem to breathe together in giving new life to unjustly forgotten and inspiring pieces of music."

Koechlin for Saxophone

Ralphus | Goyang, Gynggi-Do Korea (South) | 06/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The very under-rated French composer Charles Koechlin has been going through something of a modest reappraisal over the last few years. Numerous recordings of his many works have appeared on a number of labels. With this release, Chandos gives us his complete works for saxophone and piano.



Of the works presented by Federico Mondelci and Kathryn Stott, only the 15 Etudes op.188 were originally written for saxophone. This set of pieces has languished on the periphery of the saxophone's ample French repertoire. Performers such as Claude Delangle and others have recorded excerpts from the 15 but this is the first recording of the entire set. These simple, unassuming and charming pieces deserve much more prominence in the saxophonist's repertory. Perhaps the title "etudes" puts people off. These etudes, while clearly serving a didactic purpose, are each enjoyable pieces in their own right. Koechlin focuses less on technical bravura and more on development of tone, lyricism, sweetness, lightness and control. For example, no.2 is titled "Pour les sons lies et le charme de la sonorite". There's a hint of the archaic, of Greco-Roman Classicism, in the sound-world of these works (and Koechlin in general); at times they remind me of late Debussy; the Debussy of the Cello Sonata.



The 7 Pieces from op.180 were originally written for horn (15 Pieces op.180). The booklet tells us that the 7 pieces extracted from the original are "alternative versions". Presumably this comes from either Koechlin himself or a publisher. Interestingly, five of them are played on tenor with the remaining two on alto.



Koechlin's works for saxophone (including the two "Sonatines" for soprano--originally oboe d'amore--and the "Epitaphe de Jean Harlow", for flute, alto and piano) deserve central place in the instrument's French repertoire, along with Ibert, Dubois, Desenclos and the rest.



Mondelci's playing is really very good: tasteful, very well controlled, supple, excellent phrasing and dynamic range, and spot on intonation. He also brings out Koechlin's distinctive voice.

Chandos, Mondelci and Stott deserve great praise for presenting such repertoire so lovingly and classily performed, recorded and packaged.



A must for saxophonists. Highly recommended to those interested in Koechlin and to lovers of French woodwind music.



TT = 72'33""