Nicolas Bacri: Chamber Music, Volume One – Works for Flute
It may be a cliché to write of the clarity of Gallic writing for the flute – the kind of elegance found in the music of composers like Debussy, Fauré, Gaubert, Jolivet, Messiaen and Taffanel – but French music for flute does indeed have a sound of its own. The flute works of Nicolas Bacri, born in Paris in 1961, uphold the proud tradition of his predecessors with textures of crystalline transparency and poised, almost weightless, melodic lines – and reserves of sardonic bite and freewheeling energy as required.
Danielle Breisach, flute
Yana Avedyan, piano
Andrew Briggs, cello
Listen To This Recording:
Sonata de camera, Op. 67 (1977/97-2000) (17:52)
- Sonatina (Moderato) – (3:29)
- Scherzo (Presto misterioso) – (4:21)
- Pezzo elegiaco (Adagio mesto) – (5:14)
- Variazioni. Theme: Comodo – Var. 1: Energico (5:14)
Var. 2: Impetuoso – Var. 3: Scherzando –
Var. 4: Brillante – Var. 5: Giocoso – Var. 6: Scorrevole –
Var. 7: Misterioso – Var. 8: Con tenerezza –
Var. 9: Calmato, ma non lento –
Var. 10: Dolcissimo – Var. 11: Sereno
Trio No. 3, Sonata Notturna, Op. 54 (1996, rev. 1997) (15:23)
- Enigma (Moderato, hypnotic, and somewhat lugubrious) – (3:39)
- Notturno (Adagio – Fantastic – Adagio) – (6:06)
- Serenata ostinata (Adagietto – Allegretto, lively) (5:38)
Trios Impromptus, Op. 115 (2005/9) (4:51)
- No. 1 Adagio semplice (1:21)
- No. 2 Adagio sognado (1:43)
- No. 3 Allegro energico (1:47)
Douze Monologues Pascaliens, Op. 92 (2004) (8:55)
- No. 1 Adagio cantabile (0:28)
- No. 2 Andante misterioso (0:35)
- No. 3 Tempo di walzer (0:32)
- No. 4 Adagio misterioso (0:21)
- No. 5 Andante drammatico (0:38)
- No. 6 Vivace alla giga (0:50)
- No. 7 Adagio e rubato (0:44)
- No. 8 Vivace alla giga (0:35)
- No. 9 Adagio sereno (1:10)
- No. 10 Largo mistico (0:43)
- No. 11 Adagio espressivo (1:02)
- No. 12 Epilogo (Adagio) (1:17)
Spring Sonata, Op. 147 (2018)* (13:33)*
- Sonatina (Largo cantabile – Allegro moderato – ma energico) (6:14)
- Reverie (Lentissimo cantabile) (3:41)
- Epilogue (Adagio liberamente – Andante cantabile – e poco misterioso) (3:38)
*First Recording
Pizzicato :
‘Nicolas Bacri now focuses on the most beautiful aspects of his compositions, which allow him to continue using the tonal system without being restricted by it. He seeks to move away from the tonal system while retaining dissonance and modulation, which he uses to shape his melody-driven works. For him, composing is a process and not an addiction. He is guided by the care he places on conciseness, clarity of thematic ideas and formal structures. He negates any compositional proximity to specific role models. […]
The embedded emotions and the flexibility required to perform his music are formative. This recording shows Breisach to be an extremely accomplished flautist. Her intensive study of these works now yields the success of her in-depth exploration and results in stylistically concise and musically subtle performances.
Her accompanists, pianist Yana Avedyan, who is usually her duo partner, and cellist Andrew Briggs complete the interpretation of this music in an excellent manner. The texts in the accompanying booklet provide much information on the aspects of the works. So, this is a very successful introduction to the series of chamber music works by Bacri.’
—Pizzicato
Fanfare Magazine :
‘I like the music a good bit. […]
[Trois Impromptus] forms an effective exploration of the registers, colors, and lyric possibility to be found on this most ancient member of the woodwind family.In this work, flutist Danielle Breisach is given a special opportunity to shine as she spins out her lines, each of which is beautifully phrased. Her articulation and technical prowess also are masterful, proving her to be a superb exponent of her instrument and a most appropriate artist to introduce Bacri’s flute works to music lovers. […]
[Spring Sonata] closes with an epilog which contains the most tonally centered music of the entire recital. The effect will be beguiling to auditors, and provides a most satisfying close to a richly rewarding program. […] {Bacri] has formed a personal style that is at once tonal and distinctive.
The collaborative pianist and cellist are fine exponents of their respective instruments, plus the purchaser is treated to Toccata’s usual thorough program notes and outstanding presentation (including an interview with the composer). I readily give the disc a hearty endorsement all around.’
—David DeBoor Canfield, Fanfare Magazine, February 2005