Agobet Génération; Phonal; Feuermann

A young French composer hints at great things to come

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Jean-Louis Agobet

Genre:

Orchestral

Label: Timpani

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 56

Mastering:

Stereo
DDD

Catalogue Number: 1C1094

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Génération Jean-Louis Agobet, Composer
Alain Billard, Clarinet
François-Xavier Roth, Conductor
Jean-Louis Agobet, Composer
Michel Portal, Clarinet
Paul Meyer, Clarinet
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Phonal Jean-Louis Agobet, Composer
François-Xavier Roth, Conductor
Jean-Louis Agobet, Composer
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Feuermann Jean-Louis Agobet, Composer
François-Xavier Roth, Conductor
Jean-Louis Agobet, Composer
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Xavier Phillips, Cello
Ritratto Concertante Jean-Louis Agobet, Composer
Alexander Paley, Piano
François-Xavier Roth, Conductor
Jean-Louis Agobet, Composer
Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra
Jean-Louis Agobet (b1968) embodies his French musical heritage (Berlioz, Debussy, Boulez) in an open and questioning manner. This disc offers a welcome chance to hear pieces from the past six years, with a concertante element often present. Interestingly, the one exception, Phonal, is also the least satisfying in that the orchestral writing – fastidiously scored and ingenious in its evolving from, yet constantly harking back to, the note D – sounds the intricate backdrop to a foreground activity that never quite comes into focus.

It is in the engaging, even playful, combining of soloist and orchestra that the remaining works impress. Génération pits a trio of clarinets against the orchestra over three movements, each poised between scherzo and intermezzo, and anticipating a more substantial music that remains tantalisingly out of earshot. Ritratto concertante is a ‘portrait’ of piano and pianist that develops its main motifs into a fantasia lucid in its follow-through: a work, in fact, that self-effacingly sidesteps the ‘concerto’ issue. Most impressive is Feuermann – after the cello once played by that musician and now by Steven Isserlis, who premiered this taut, eventful piece. It is likely the first movement of a concerto which, if it can maintain a similar expressive intensity, will be a fine addition to the repertoire.

The performances are perceptively directed by François-Xaver Roth and enhanced by translucent sound and detailed booklet-notes. Anyone doubting modern French music’s subversive intent is in for a pleasant surprise.

Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music. 

Stream on Presto Music | Buy from Presto Music

Gramophone Print

  • Print Edition

From £6.67 / month

Subscribe

Gramophone Digital Club

  • Digital Edition
  • Digital Archive
  • Reviews Database
  • Full website access

From £8.75 / month

Subscribe

                              

If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.