Emmanuel Pahud - Paris

Francis Poulenc (Artist), Henri Dutilleux (Artist), Pierre Sancan (Artist), Jacques Ibert (Artist), Darius Milhaud (Artist), Olivier Messiaen (Artist), André Jolivet (Artist), Emmanuel Pahud (Artist), Eric Le Sage (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 20, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000002RZA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,238 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars french flute power, September 19, 2000

By 

slightlykooky - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emmanuel Pahud - Paris (Audio CD)

Pahud has become one of the biggest flutist around the world these days. His selections on this all-French composer disc span the gamut of the French repertory from the Ibert to the still living Dutilleux. I got this disc for two reasons 1) because there aren't too many recordings of the Dutilleux Sonatine--a contemporary flute and piano piece {The two which spring to my mind are Paula Robison and Michael Bellavance 's but there are probably 1 or 2 more out there} and 2)i was curious about Pahud's mysterious sound. Many flutist friends had told me I HAD to hear a recording of his. Let me say that it takes a lot to impress me after getting used to hearing the flute squad of the Boston Symphony--wood flute pioneer Jacques Zoon, Fenwick Smith and Elizabeth Ostling, but this Pahud's sound IS all that AND a bag of potato chips. This collection although almost exclusively from the 20th century is quite accessible, lyric (in the French style), even the 'bird' calls in Messiaen's 'Le Merle Noir' don't even come close to other ear-challenging 20th century repertory. The disc is a great sampler of the 'greatest flute hits/repertory' of the 20th century (excluding the solo flute pieces-Debussy's Syrinx or Varese's Density 21.5).

That said I have 2 cents more to add to my review of the Dutilleux Sonatine. Although I like this disc a lot, I LOVE Paula Robison's Recording of it even more (if that is possible). IT IS probably the DEFINITIVE recording of that piece. Check out her CD on the Vanguard label which has a smattering of 19th and 20th century works on it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pahud is by far one of the absolute best flutists right now!, February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Emmanuel Pahud - Paris (Audio CD)

After attending a masterclass with Emmanuel Pahud, I bought this recording, and as he demonstrated in the classes, he is a phenomenal all-around performer. If you ever have a chance to see him live, definitely go for it. Otherwise, get a recording... or two!

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful music in superb performances, April 30, 2011

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Emmanuel Pahud - Paris (Audio CD)

This is a superb disc containing wonderful performances of thoroughly rewarding music. Sancan's sonatina, Dutilleux's sonatina and Messiaen's Le merle noir were all examination pieces for the Paris Conservatoire, but are far more than run-of-the-mill examination works. The Sancan sonatina is a major discovery; a wonderfully atmospheric, thematically memorable, very Gallic work, extremely well written for the instrument and certainly piquing one's interest in the output of a composer not exactly over-represented in the catalogue. The Dutilleux and Messiaen works are of course better known; both are early and neither can perhaps be counted as a masterpiece, but they contain obvious pointers to the composers' mature styles.

In addition the famous Poulenc sonata, an undeniable masterpiece, we also get a new version of Jolivet's striking, profoundly impressive and often recorded Chant de Linos, Ibert's affectionate but slight Aria and Milhaud's less famous but consistently attractive sonata. The playing is absolutely stunning. Most of the music here presents substantial technical challenges, which Pahud handles with aplomb. His tone is generally rather light and airy, and as a result the music acquires a certain refined clarity; but Pahud also has access to a remarkable array of colors and atmospheres, and the playing certainly does not lack muscularity or power. He is brilliantly partnered by Eric Le Sage, and the sound quality is excellent. A wonderful disc, enthusiastically recommended.