Albert Russel - "Petite suite" op. 39
Following the footsteps of French influences in Witold Lutosławski’s music, we propose to begin with Albert Roussel and his ‘Petite Suite’, Op. 39, written in 1929.
The piece is one of the most popular and therefore most frequently performed works by Albert Roussel, a French composer of the 1920s and 1930s. Written in a neoclassical style, the charming and witty three-movement suite was not created chronologically. The composer wrote the outer movements first: ‘Aubade’ and ‘Mascerada’, and only later added the middle ‘Pastorale’. The suite begins with an energetic rhythm on 5th, which distinguishes it from the very beginning. Additionally, it is characterised by a sensuous and shimmering melody juxtaposed with subtle orchestration. The flute figures are said to represent birdsong outside the composer’s residence. A transitional horn passage leads to a pleading oboe melody. The central movement is an atmospheric, passionate and tuneful display of the solo capabilities of instruments such as French horn, oboe, clarinet and trumpet, accompanied by Roussel’s characteristic harmonics. The whole is crowned by Movement III, teaming with rhythmic vigour and brilliant orchestration, brings the Suite to a joyous, if somewhat abrupt, close.
Witold Lutosławski - "Chantefleurs et chantefables"
The patron’s piece performed during the closing concert of the workshop will be "Chantefleurs et chantefables", i.e. Witold Lutoslawski’s late works and (for the first time in the history of ILYO) a vocal-instrumental piece.
‘Chantefleurs et chantefables’ is a cycle of nine songs for soprano and orchestra with a single cast of wind instruments, composed towards the end of the composer’s life. It is the second work written in the words of the French poet Robert Desnos, specifically to a 1955 collection of poems of the same title. The soprano song cycle belongs to Lutosławski’s final period. It was composed between the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra and Symphony no. 4. The work consists of poetic sound scenes painted with extraordinary subtlety; a seductive collection of musical moods, emotions and feelings rendered with masterful craftsmanship. The tone of the song inextricably recalls the works of French masters such as Ravel, Debussy or Roussel, and is at the same time a reference to Lutoslawski’s own early work from the 1940s and 1950s. For in Lutosławski’s late work we find neither his characteristic aleatoric technique, nor the typical twelve-note chords, nor the two-part form to which the composer had become accustomed.
Andrzej Panufnik - Symphony No. 5 "Sinfonia di Sfere"
The final concert will be crowned with ‘Sinfonia di Sfere’, i.e. the 5th symphony by Andrzej Panufnik, an outstanding composer and Witold Lutoslawski’s private friend.
The work is the purest exemplification of the composer's interest in principles of symmetry and geometry. Both domains are here the formal canvass of the whole composition and are manifested in the smallest details of the work. However, the idea of spheres manifests itself not only in the construction of the piece, but also has the dimension of a spiritual and contemplative sequence of thoughts and feelings. In ‘Sinfoni di Sfere’ the choice of intervals, dynamic and melodic motives are also symmetrical. This peculiar kind of intricately composed work is the reason why Andrzej Panufnik was called the ‘architect of 20th century music’. It is worth remembering however, that for the composer the perfection of the construction of his own compositions always served the better flow of feelings and emotions which he wanted to share with his listeners.
