BARGAIN OF THE MONTH
Frederic MOMPOU (1893-1987)
Piano Music - Volume 6
El plany del captaire (1916) [4:45]
Les fŕbriques prop de la platja (undated) [1:08]
Record de platja (1914) [1:57]
Barri de platja (1911) [0:55]
Camins de sorra (1914) [2:22]
5 impressions (1918): I [1:26]; II [2:34]; III Dansa de la noia que
salta a la corda vora el riu [2:31]; IV [2:11]; V Petit cementiri a la tarda
[2:50]
L'ermita de la Garriga (1916) [1:59]
Pastoral en la boira (1913) [2:24]
Pastoral salvatge (undated) [3:30]
Cami de muntanya (undated) [1:24]
Les amigues retornen del camp (1916) [2:29]
El cami del jardi (1911) [0:47]
Montseny (1912) [1:53]
L'eco (1914) [1:35]
Impressions de Muntanya (1910): I Dansa de poble [1:00]; II El repňs
dins el temple [1:34]; III Pastoral [0:44]
Pensament (undated) [1:57]
2 petits preludis (1912): No. 1 Oració d'ermita [1:39]; No. 2 Il.lusió
[1:09]
Preludi (1913) [1:09]
2 arabesques (1915): No. 1 [1:32]; No. 2 [1:40]
Estanys de paper de plata (undated) [2:38]
Dansa dels tres reis que han caigut del camell (undated [3:11]
Cançó i dansa del pessebre (undated) [2:53]
Les hores (1915) [3:07]
Ball pla (undated) [1:19]
Jordi Masó (piano)
rec. 3-4 October 2009, Auditorium, Jafre, Spain. DDD
NAXOS 8.572142 [64:12] 
As musical discoveries go this is an intriguing disc. Not only is Mompou unfamiliar
to me but the items in this collection – discovered by the composer’s wife
in 1985 – will also be unknown to you. This world premiere recording is just
the kind of release that makes Naxos such a rewarding label; and, as I’ve
discovered, many of these super-budget issues are a steal at any price. As
for the Barcelona-born pianist Jordi Masó, I’m pleased to report that although
he’s also new to me, his playing here is both distinguished and delightful.
Factor in a splendid, atmospheric recording and this collection becomes irresistible.
To the unsuspecting ear Mompou’s early sketches of suburban Barcelona – the
first five tracks – will come as a pleasant surprise. El plany del captaire
(The beggar’s lament) has a deceptive charm – not to mention an unmistakable
Iberian twist of harmony and rhythm – that’s most invigorating. Although these
pieces are modest in scale it’s clear there’s a substantial musical intellect
at work here, subtle colours embedded in the smallest phrases, such as those
of Record de platja (Beach memory). Masó’s easeful delivery and his
control of dynamics are most impressive – sample the contrasting tunes of
Camins de sorra (Sandy paths) for instance – and savour the natural,
well-balanced piano sound as well.
Of the 5 Impressions No. 1 has the most sparkle and energy. Masó’s
clear, meticulous playing is enhanced by a real sense of warmth and spontaneity.
This is especially true of the second Impression, whose winsome lilt
had me reaching for the repeat button. I suppose one could hear Debussy or
Ravel in this music – with a dash of Gottschalk, perhaps – but Mompou’s ‘voice’
strikes me as a very distinct and individual one. While there’s always the
possibility of longueurs in anthologies such as this, I’m pleased to
say there’s no hint of that here. Indeed, these ear-pricking Impressions
are a good example of the variety and contrast of this collection as a whole,
whether it’s quiet or animated, inward or extrovert. And just listen to those
lovely harp-like swirls in No. 5, so discreetly done.
Mannered, even precious, playing is the enemy of such repertoire, but there’s
none of that in Masó’s playing. Pastoral en la boira (Pastoral in the
fog) could so easily be disfigured by posturing pianism, yet it’s given with
a gossamer lightness that’s just magical. Even in the salvoes of Pastoral
salvatge (Wild pastoral) Masó retains a sense of dynamic control and structural
balance that’s just perfect for these multi-layered miniatures. Added to this
pianist’s many virtues is a keen ear for colour and nuance – sample the tiny
Cami de muntanya (Mountain trail) and El cami del jardi (The
garden path) for instance – and I couldn’t help but think of Gottschalk once
more in the pirouettes of Montseny.
There’s much to enjoy here – L’eco is so cleverly done – the three
Impressions de Muntanya (Mountain impressions) and imperious Pensament
(Thought) infused with Mediterranean warmth and piquancy; and every note is
presented in the most natural and unpretentious way. The bell-like Petits
preludis (Little preludes) are an absolute delight as well, the two Arabesques
rather more hard-edged than the Debussian variety. But that’s not to suggest
there’s anything stiff or unyielding about Masó’s playing, the soft, pastel
wash that opens Estanys de paper de plata (Tinfoil pools) nicely contrasted
with the bold brush strokes that follow.
One of the many pleasures of this disc is hearing how beautifully Masó integrates
left and right hand, especially in the stamp and click of the whimsically
titled Dansa dels tres reis que han caigut del camell (Dance of the
three kings who have fallen off their camels) and the modulations of Cançó
i dansa del pessebre (Nativity song and dance). The recital ends with
the sonorous, but judiciously weighted, Les hores (The hours) and the
insistent Ball pla (Low dance).
All this, and lucid liner-notes from the pianist himself, makes for a most
attractive issue. Indeed, I’ve added the rest of this Mompou cycle to my ever-growing
wish-list; I suggest you do the same.
Nominating Naxos releases as Bargains of the Month is becoming a habit with
me, but when the music - and musicianship - is as assured as this, nothing
else will do.
Dan Morgan
Bargain of the Month - nothing else will do.