Music critic Rob Barnett talks about the music of Florent Schmitt and its growing presence on recordings.

December 1, 2017 · by Phillip Nones | in Classical Music, Composers, French Composers | tagged Andre Navarra, Florent Schmitt, Gerard Schwarz, Introit, Introit recit et conge, Joseph Holbrooke, Len Mullenger, MusicWeb International, Psaume XLVII, Ralph Vaughan-Williams, Rob Barnett, Schmitt, Timpani Records, Tragedie de Salome, Tragedy of Salome | Leave a comment

Recently, the online magazine MusicWeb International published a feature article about the French recording label Timpani Records and its commitment to bringing out recordings of the music of Florent Schmitt. Encompassing a range of works including solo piano, chamber music, vocal and orchestral selections, this enterprising label has released six recordings devoted exclusively to Schmitt’s compositions — including several […]

Introït, récit et congé: Florent Schmitt’s tour de force for cello and orchestra (1948).

February 23, 2014 · by Phillip Nones | in Classical Music, Composers, French Composers | tagged Andre Navarra, Anne Gastinel, Cello, Classical Music, Composers, Faure, Florent Schmitt, French Composers, Gregor Piatigorsky, Henri Demarquette, Honegger, Ibert, Introit recit et conge, Jacques Mercier, Jolivet, Lorraine National Orchestra, MusicWeb, Nones, Paul Paray, Rene Dumesnil, Rob Barnett, Schmitt, Timpani | 5 Comments

Over his seven decades-long composing career, Florent Schmitt would pen three concertante works for cello. The early Chant élégiaque (from 1899-1903) seems clearly influenced by Schmitt’s teacher and mentor, Gabriel Fauré, who had composed his own Elegy for Cello & Orchestra in the 1880s. The 1932 Final for Cello & Orchestra comes from Schmitt’s middle period of […]