Franck • Poulenc • Strohl
Franck: Violin Sonata (arr. Delsar t);
Poulenc: Cello Sonata; Souvenirs; Strohl: Great Dramatic Sonata;
Tombelle: Andante espressivo Edgar Moreau (cello),
David Kadouch (piano)
Erato 0190295740627 95:33 mins
The unknown name here is Rita Strohl (1865 to 1941) – and her creations seem permeated by the mysticism in the aura of French Romanticism and Symbolist poetry and art (the painter Odilon Redon was a friend). Her Grande sonate dramatique is a giant, full-on work based on the story of Titus and Berenice. Fervent and passionate, it proves tremendously listenable; and here Moreau and Kadouch give it all they’ve got.
Two more sonatas for cello and piano sit alongside this rare treat at two tangents: Franck’s Violin Sonata in its cello arrangement by Jules Delsart, and Poulenc’s Sonata, which comes as if from another world – though it shares strands of mystical faith with both his forerunners. In the Franck, Moreau and Kadouch seem at times too het up, ladelling extra perfume onto already fragrant music, pulling the tempo around, surging unnecessarily on phrases that would otherwise be perfect.
The Poulenc, however, f lowers surprisingly in this near-excess of care with a rewarding, kaleidoscopic range of colour.
Two utter joys are saved for last: a gorgeous Andante Espessivo by Fernand de la Tombelle, a friend of Saint-saëns – a very Gallic miniature which would well suit an arthouse film; and the world premiere recording of a short piece by Poulenc called Souvenirs. Written in 1944, undiscovered until 2014, it is to die for.
The recording appears thanks to the Palazzetto Bru Zane, a centre in Venice dedicated to the resuscitation of French Romantic rarities. It’s the latest in a remarkable wealth of treasures the organisation has presented to the highest of standards. With its excellent sound, this one is no exception. It would have been nice, though, for the performers’ biographies to appear in the booklet. Jessica Duchen
PERFORMANCE ★★★★ RECORDING ★★★★