Terzetti: Trios for flute, viola and harp
Arnold BAX (1883-1953) Elegiac Trio (1916-17) [9:41]
Claude DEBUSSY (1862-1918) Sonate en trio (1916) [17:42]
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937) Sonatine en trio (arr. Carlos SALZEDO
(1885-1961)) (1905/c.1915) [12:35]
William MATHIAS (1934-1992) Zodiac Trio (1975) [18:00]
Theodore DUBOIS (1837-1924) Terzettino (1904) [5:20]
The Debussy Ensemble (Susan Milan (flute); Matthew Jones (viola); Ieuan Jones
(harp))
rec. 12-13 December 2010, Oak Combe, Marley Common, Haslemere, UK
DIVINE ART DDA25099 [63:20]
Most folk would regard the combination of flute, viola and harp as rather
unusual and unlikely to have brought forth many works. However, a brief look
on the Internet
reveals dozens of pieces for the medium, with many of them having been written
in the past thirty years. The earliest would appear to be the present Sonate
by Debussy; however, Bax could be the contender for that honour.
Even the most cursory hearing of the works on this CD reveals a great potential
for richness of musical colour and tone. It is an instrumental combination
that must be a gift to any composer who wishes to write a piece of evocative
music that nods towards impressionism, the mysterious or the exotic.
Arnold Bax balanced impressionism with romanticism in many of his works. Added
to this was the influence of the ‘Celtic Twilight’. In the present Elegiac
Trio all three stylistic elements are present. This is a lyrical work that
alludes to the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland and what Bax perceived as the
loss of his ideal (and maybe imaginary) world.
The work is written in one continuous movement and references Irish melodies,
‘colourful pastoral scenes [and] … rippling waves.’ I think that what impresses
me most about this work is the successful balance between the various instrumental
timbres. It is possible that Bax was inspired by Debussy’s Sonate
for the same combination of instruments which was written some six months
previously. However, some scholars feel that Bax would not have had an opportunity
to hear this work as it was not heard in London until just six weeks before
the Bax premiere. So maybe he invented this particular chamber grouping.
Debussy’s Sonate en Trio was, as stated above, written during the
Great War in 1916. It is one of three important sonatas written in the last
years of his life: the other two are for cello and violin. In many ways, the
present work sounds like an improvisation, where the soloists experiment with
various instrumental colourings. They are often used in a pointillistic manner
which may remind the listener of the orchestral work La Mer. The
Sonate is in three movements.
I am not quite sure about Ravel’s Sonatine en trio. This is simply
a transcription of the well-known Sonatina for piano. It is attractive
enough, but I would much rather hear it in the original version. It was arranged
sometime after 1915 by the harpist Carlos Salzedo with, ‘by all accounts’,
the composer’s blessing. Perhaps it would have been better for the Debussy
Ensemble to champion a work by a lesser-known composer that was especially
written for their instrumental combination.
After reading the liner-notes about the William Mathias’s Zodiac
I was a little concerned. My eye caught a sentence about ‘cosmic’ effects,
such as ‘string sliding using a metal object’ on the viola and ‘soundboard
tapping’ on the harp. As my late father would have said, it sounded a little
‘long haired’. Yet I need not have worried. Mathias’s good sense and musicality
saved the day. The work is conceived as a journey between the star signs of
Pisces, Aries and Taurus. The three constellations are separated by ‘travelling’
music. This is an attractive, musically interesting piece that is often haunting
and always interesting. There is another recording of this piece listed in
the catalogues on the ‘Harp and Company’ label, however I have not heard this.
Theodore Dubois is best remembered in the organ loft. I wonder what aspiring
organist has not attempted the superb Toccata. However, there is
a deal of instrumental, chamber, vocal and stage works in his catalogue. The
Terzettino, which gives its title
to the CD, was composed in 1904: the composer was 67 years old. It is a delicious
work that is both romantic and reflective. The only downside is that it is
far too short.
The Debussy Ensemble consists of three well-respected and competent soloists.
Susan Milan was a former principal of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra who
now has a largely solo career performing with three chamber ensembles including
the present one. She is also Professor and Fellow of the Royal College of
Music and is a director of the British Isles Music Festival. Matthew Jones
is a teacher, performer on the violin and viola and a composer. He regularly
gives recitals with the pianist Michael Hampton. Finally Ieuan Jones began
playing the harp at the age of six. He continued his studies at the Royal
College of Music. He has given concerts in many countries and has made a number
of recordings.
Much of this music is impressionistic and numinous in mood and I felt that
this was not reflected in the sound quality of this CD: they are just a little
let down by the hard edge in the recording. However, the playing is excellent
and all three soloists respond to each other sympathetically.
Bearing in mind that these works are not well known, the liner-notes could
have been more extensive. For example, there is virtually no description or
analysis of the Ravel, the Bax or the Dubois. Finally, I felt that the cover
was just a little bit ‘naff’.
Nevertheless, this is a great CD with a wide-ranging selection of music: it
displays an instrumental combination that is relatively rarely heard.
John France
A great CD with a wide-ranging selection.