Hidden Flame

Works by Beach, C Schumann, Strohl, N Boulanger et al

Yoshika Masuda (cello), Hyejin Kim (piano)

Avie AV2653 72:00 mins

Five of the female composers featured here cover the last

200 years, and a little more if one adds Maria Paradis as author of the famous Sicilienne, which is doubtful. Dedicated to Joseph Joachim, Clara Schumann’s Three Romances of

1853 testify to her profound musical intelligence, suggesting that there was a shared style between Clara and Robert – and who is to say who was influencing whom?

By far the longest work on the disc is the 1892 Great Dramatic Sonata ‘Titus et Bérénice’ by Rita Strohl, a name unknown to me, but a composer of considerable power. The reference is to Racine’s tragedy of 1670, although there’s no clear, detailed relationship between story and music. Variety there is aplenty, but the two outer movements, both lasting over ten minutes, are a little on the long side.

Amy Beach’s Romance of a year later is pretty enough without showing much individuality, while Nadia Boulanger’s Three Pieces from 1914 are technically the most impressive, though it should be noted that she later withdrew the second piece (a splendid canon, but obviously not splendid enough to satisfy her high standards). As Caroline Potter’s excellent notes suggest, the sense of fun in the last piece may surprise some people.

The only contemporary work is Reena Esmail’s one word makes a world, based on an Indian raga and sporting imaginative swoops and slides. The playing is efficient, but the pianist could have made a sharper distinction between melody and accompaniment, while dynamics are sometimes ignored, notably the ppp morendo ending Beach’s Romance. Most disappointing is the lovely Sicilienne, taken too slowly and short on charm. Roger Nichols PERFORMANCE

RECORDING