A musical time capsule is unearthed in provincial France.

June 13, 2024 · by Phillip Nones | in French Composers, Vocal Music | tagged Alistair Kendry, Charente, Charles Koechlin, Courcome, Demande, Elsa Barraine, Florent Schmitt, Gheorghe Anghel, Hotel Majestic, Koechlin, Marie-Noel Westerman, Marthe Bailloux, Mary Fisher, Messiaen, Musique sur l'eau, Peninsula Paris, Pierre Bailloux, Poemes des lacs, Schmitt, Sylvio Lazzari | 4 Comments

The Charente summer home of soprano Marthe Bailloux and her military husband yields a trove of noteworthy artifacts from France’s “Golden Age” of art and music. Sometimes the most incredible adventures are put in motion purely by happenstance. This is certainly the case with Alistair Kendry and Mary Fisher, two English creative artists who decided […]

French pianist Tristan Raës talks about his musical journey with Florent Schmitt, and the pathfinding recording efforts of his father, Alain Raës.

March 1, 2024 · by Phillip Nones | in Chamber Music, Piano Music, Vocal Music | tagged Alain Raes, Alfred Cortot, Cyrille Dubois, Florent Schmitt, Florestan Raes, Gabriel Faure, Les Barques, Louis Beydts, Maitre Faure, Palazzetto Bru Zane, Poemes des lacs, Poulenc, Quatre poemes de Ronsard, Robert de Montesquiou, Schmitt, Tristan Raes | 1 Comment

Alain made important first recordings of French piano scores by Florent Schmitt, while Tristan is exploring the composer’s sumptuous early-career mélodies. Recently a multi-country recital tour was announced featuring tenor Cyrille Dubois and pianist Tristan Raës, in which mélodies by the composer Gabriel Fauré and several of his students would be performed. I was pleased […]