Search - Ropartz, Ensemble Stanislav :: Trio in a Minor / Prelude, Marine & Chansons

Ropartz Unknown...

Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 11/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

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Yet another member of César Franck's entourage was the Breton J.-G. Ropartz (1864-1955).



A little geo-cultural perspective (à son gré...): France is an isthmus, and while the Mediterranean coast and Latinate influence are well recognized, the northern Atlantic aspect is frequently forgotten. In particular, the large penninsula of Brittany is utterly unique in France as it's part of the Celtic Fringe (which includes Ireland and Scotland): this includes the native peoples who previously didn't even speak French in Brittany. (It may be remembered that prior to embarking for Tahiti, Gauguin toured Brittany--as if it were a foreign country: well, it practically was.) Gauguin and the Origins of Symbolism .



In any case, Ropartz was a native Breton and as such displays a distinctive artistic character: he may be considered a Neo-Impressionist like Signac Paul Signac, 1863-1935 . Certainly--like Signac--the Sea is a major motif in Ropartz' art, and much of his work is imbued with a maritime atmosphere of wave-like rhythms, swells, and misty ebbs and flows: the golden lamp of a lighthouse and the tolling of coastal bells are too suggested.



All of these motifs are considered in the piano Trio of 1918 (last year of the Great War), a work dedicated to Franckist Pierre de Bréville Joseph Canteloube, Pierre de Bréville: Music for Violin and Piano .



The cold northern coast and Ocean are included in the very web and woof of the Prélude, Marine et Chansons (1928) for flute, string trio, and harp--a very French combo.



Finally, this disc includes the fourth of Ropartz' six string Quartets, in the optimistic key of E (1935). See also, Joseph-Guy Ropartz: Quatuors No. 2 & No. 3 ; Ropartz String Quartets Volume 2 . This fine work has an affinity with fellow Franckist epigone Magnard's only Quartet Albéric Magnard, Gabriel Fauré: String Quartets ; Chausson: String Quartets; Roussel: String Quartets [United Kingdom] .



All highly recommended.

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