If there was a concert which would constitute as therapeutic, cathartic, energizing, uplifting and the equivalent of a feast of comfort food, it would be this recital by the legendary French pianist Jean-Philippe Collard. Recorded at France Musique’s Studio 104 at the Maison de la Radio in Paris, this past March, Jean-Phillipe Collard delivers a spellbinding adventure into the heady world of French piano Music, and the 96 minutes fairly speeds by.
Collard is one of the living giants of the French keyboard – his many recordings have been critically acclaimed and his concerts are highlight of any season.
What I really like about this particular concert setting is how intimate it feels – there is a warmth which radiates and is perfectly captured by the Radio France engineers (who I am a huge fan of anyway). It’s not a massive audience and the hall isn’t cavernous; it feels like a get-together of friends to listen to some eloquent music making.
Here is a rundown as to what is on the player:
Concert donné le 12 mars 2016 zu Studio 104 de la Maison de la Radio, à Paris.
Gabriel Fauré
Nocturnes pour piano n°4 en mi bémol Maj. op.36
Nocturnes pour piano n°6 en ré bémol Maj. op.63Albert Roussel
Sonatine pour piano op.16Maurice Ravel
Miroirs pour piano :
Oiseaux tristes
Alborada del graciosoClaude Debussy
Préludes pour piano (Livre I)Bis :
Francis Poulenc
Pastourelle Fp45Gabriel Fauré
Requiem (extr.) : In Paradisum, transcription pour piano d’Emile NaounoffJean-Philippe Collard, piano
This is truly an Anti-Road Rage Wednesday concert – actually, it’s apt for every day. And definitely constitutes repeated playings. Lovely concert, lovely playing – it really doesn’t get much better than this.
Enjoy,
