Customer Reviews

Piano Music by Cécile Chaminade, Vol. 1

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Most people do not know of Cecile Chaminade. A musicologist brought her to my attention when we were having a discussion on French composers and I was talking about Eric Satie and Bizet. Upon his recommendation and my curiosity, I bought this disc and found it to be quite beautiful.

Chaminade was interested in music at an early age but her father disapproved of her musical studies. She did start to write for piano and played some of her pieces for Bizet who was quite impressed by it. She eventually gained success and recognition in France but was all but forgotten after her death in 1944. In the past 15 years, her work has been resurrected. There is definitely a Chopin influence but also her own solon style.

This is a very beautiful rendition of her piano pieces. Peter Jacobs plays skillfully and beautifully. There is full expression in her "Solitude" and "L'Ondine." The recording is clear and crisp. His interpretations are well emotionally satisfying; both somber and vivacious depending on the piece.

It is great to hear that there were more female composers and pianists besides Clara Schumann during a time when women were not allowed to exhibit there talents to the degree they get to do now. This CD will satisfy most classical music lovers.

This is a great collection of short piano pieces of Cecile Chaminade. I had never heard these items before, but the notes by Calum Mcdonald make clear that she was regarded as lightweight composing music that had in his words " little use for profundity or complexity of thought but responded to graceful melody, simple forms, clear textures and dextrous, gracefully written exploitation of the medium...". So perhaps these pieces will not be mistaken for Bach but they could be mistaken for Chopin on a happy day. In fact the major defect of this music must be that Cecile lived from 1857 to 1944 and did not write music filled with struggle, despair, desperation, and longing. Rather this music has in it simple pleasure at the sounds of the piano and the joy this can bring to those who hear them. If that is not enough for you, search elsewhere. The key to the 20th century will not be found here but rather an engaging and diverse set of skillfully designed and executed serenades,romances, etudes, themes, and airs. The music has, reasonably enough, touches of French impressionism without excessive obscurity or complication. This is well worth exploration.