Koechlin – “Les Chants de Nectaire” Op. 199
Performed by Nicola Woodward (flute)
Listen Here…
Single CD/Standard Jewel Case
Release Date: 2nd October 2020
Physical & Digital Distribution: NAXOS
Tracklisting
I A l’ombre, par une fraîche matinée de printemps (In the shade, on a cool spring morning) ; II La claire forêt (The light forest); III Jeux dans la clairière (Games in the clearing); IV Le Bois Sacré (The Sacred Wood); V Le bruissement des feuilles (The fluttering of leaves); VI Boire à l’ombre, en été (Drinking in the shade, in summer); VII Danse de nymphes, au soleil (Dance of the nymphs, in the sun); VIII Jeux de Naïades (Naïades at play); IX Fraîcheur des beaux matins de la montagne (Beautiful fresh mornings in the mountains); X Le chevrier (piccolo) (The goatherd); XI Danse de Faunes
(Dance of the Fauns); XII “Mollesque sub arbore somni….” (Softly slumbering under a tree)XIII La mer aux bruits innombrables (The sea with its innumerable sounds) ; XIV Endymion, berger (Endymion the shepherd); XV Le Satyre
(Satyre); XVI “Majoresque cadunt altis de montibus umbrae” (Shadows fall from lofty mountains); XVII Caprice du Faune (Caprice of the Faun); XVIII Sur la mort d’un chat (On the death of a cat); XIX Pureté du matin sur la grève (Purity of morning on the shore); XX L’ “Heureux petit Berger” (The happy shepherd boy); XXI Calme du soir (Calm of evening); XXII Brise fraîche du matin sur la mer (Cool morning breeze on the sea); XXIII “O fortunatos nimium…agricolas” (Fortunate farmers); XXIV Soir lumineux (Light Evening); XXV Gaîté du printemps dans le forêt (Gaiety of spring in the forest); XXVI “Tityre, Tu patulae recubans sub tegmine fagi“ (Tityre, reclining beneath the beech tree); XXVII Danses dans la forêt (Dances in the forest); XXVIII “At secura quies…” (Repose without a care); XXIX “Formosi pecoris custos, formosior ipse” (Handsome flock, more handsome shepherd); XXX Les oiseaux sont ivres… (The birds are drunk ....); XXXI Silène (Silenus); XXXII Pour le cortège de Dionysos (For the procession of Dionysos)
Concept Overview
The Chants de Nectaire were inspired by the wise old flute player Nectaire, who appears in “La Révolte des Anges” by Anatole France (1914). La Révolte des Anges is often considered the author's most profound novel. It tells the story of the angels who rebelled against God and came down to earth, descending upon Paris disguised as people, to prepare a coup d’état which would re-establish Satan (aka the Angel of Light, the symbol of liberating knowledge…) on the throne of heaven. The tribulations of the angels in the Paris of the Third Republic are a fierce social criticism and mock the Catholic Church. Eventually, Lucifer will give up dethroning God, for had he continued, Lucifer would become God, and lose his influence over liberated thought.
“Nectaire raised the flute to his lips. Wielded by dextrous fingers and filled with the breath of creation, the rustic pipe resonated like a silver flute. The music told of Love, Fear, vain Quarrels, triumphant Laughter, the serene clarity of Intelligence and the arrows that pierce the monsters of Ignorance and Hatred. The music also spoke of Joy and Pain bending their twin heads over the Earth and of the desire that creates worlds….” Translated from La Révolte des Anges by Anatole France (1914)
The ninety-six songs , all gems in their own right, are grouped in three books (Op. 198-200) and were composed over four months in 1944. Despite the speed of creation, the quality is incredible, with great attention to detail. Each piece is its own unique sound world, imaginative, sensitive, beautiful and, above all, sincere.
This second set is based on the Ancient Forest as seen in the writings of Virgil. We experience the richness and diversity of the natural world, but the journey also brings joy and sadness, terror and elation. These impressions of diverse life forces are carried through the air by the purity of melody alone.
Charles Koechlin (1867 – 1950) studied at the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, but tuberculosis prevented him from following the military career that was expected of him. Fortunately, he turned to music, studying composition with Fauré and Massenet at the Paris Conservatoire. He worked incredibly quickly when inspired, and his output of 219 opus numbers covers all genres: from the vast orchestral work, ‘Le Livre de la Jungle’, inspired by Kipling; to choral, chamber and solo works. He loved the flute and seemed to understand the subtleties as if he played himself.
According to Koechlin, his personality was dominated by characteristics from his Alsatian roots; there is an energy, naivety and an absolute sincerity at the heart of all his music. I see him as a fascinating and eccentric genius with a twinkle in his eye: inquisitive, fiercely intelligent, and obsessive. He was passionate about the sciences, astronomy, literature, film, and film stars, in particular Lilian Harvey and Ginger Rogers, all of which inspired his musical creativity. Recognition of his genius has grown since his death and as an orchestral ‘magician’, he is now seen as on a par with Debussy and Ravel.
Artist Biography
Nicola Woodward was awarded exhibition scholarships on both flute and piano at the Royal College of Music. She also won the Eve Kisch flute prize and several prizes for all-round musicianship. She has performed at the Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Rooms, given live broadcasts on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3, worked with the LPO and Bournemouth Orchestras and toured Latin America for the British Council. As part of a flute and marimba duo, she toured extensively with ‘Live Music Now!’ and is now involved with the scheme as a mentor. She frequently performed at Highgrove and Buckingham Palace for HRH the Prince of Wales and has made several recordings of rare and folk-influenced works. Nicola has a deep love of folk music from many cultures, which she regularly performs. She is co-founder of the Rockhampton Festival.
www.nicolawoodward.uk
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