Click on the link here for Audio Player – Chateau de Sceaux Festival – Girard String Orchestra, Andrè Girard, Cond. – 1952 – Paris Radio
Taking a brief tour far back in history, all the way to the 18th Century for the music of French composer Michel de Montéclair as given at the Chateau de Sceaux Festival in approximately 1952 with a performance of Montéclair’s Serenade ou Concert in its first revival. Montéclair was virtually forgotten until his revival in the 1950s, and the Festival at Chateau de Sceaux was dedicated to performing much of that long-thought lost music, not only of Montéclair but several other composers from that time period.
This performance is from the festival, performed live by the Girard String Orchestra conducted by Andrè Girard and broadcast by Paris Radio.
The sound is a little muddy because I suspect it’s an aircheck and not a recording directly from the festival or a reasonable source. Still, it’s a rare performance from a largely overlooked composer during a time when his revival was getting much attention.
Enjoy.
Dear Gordon,
This post touches me.
I am very likely the only pupil of Andre Girard living for years from conducting.
Totally underrated, not to say forgotten nowadays, a quick look on INA web site shows how this human and humble conductor did about original (not to say unique) programs, combining new music and traditional repertoire. He also supported unknown baroque music at a time period instrument wave had not started. Compared to him, Boulez -for instance- did not premiere so many works in France. At ORTF times, he conducted AND recorded with all orchestral formations (and more numerous at this time) in the French Radio house (Orchestre National, Orchestre Philharmonique, Orchestre Radio-Lyrique……..and ORTF Chamber Orchestra of course, as chief conductor of the latter).
Too few of his LP recordings have been reissued on CD format…..making your post even more important.
THANKS so much.
Jean
Thanks so much to YOU Jean. I have a number of Girard concerts I will be posting from time to time. I am looking for a good source of photos for musicians such as Girard. If you know of any, please let me know, as they are hard to come by here in the U.S.
I don’t have any personally….but will try to find some, for sure ! thanks for your prompt reply.
Surprisingly, I am just next to the pict you posted today on the following link……
https://www.google.com.hk/search?q=andre+Girard+conductor&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=eOK2U4-3JbGN0wXY_4GwBA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1043&bih=621