Schmitt: Le petit elfe Ferme-l’oeil & Introït, récit et congé Henri Demarquette

• Florent Schmitt (1870–1958): Le petit elfe ferme-l'oeil, Op. 73
• 1Prelude04:22
• 2La Fete nationale des souris03:53
• 3La Cigogne lasse05:12
• 4Le Cheval de Ferme-l'oeil06:06
• 5Le Mariage de la poupee Berthe04:18
• 6La Ronde des lettres boiteuses04:51
• 7La Promenade a travers le tableau05:15
• 8Le Parapluie chinois04:11
• Introit, recit et conge, Op. 113
• 9Introit, recit et conge, Op. 11313:02
• Total Runtime51:10

Info for Schmitt: Le petit elfe Ferme-l’oeil & Introït, récit et congé

Six years ago, Timpani released a disc devoted to Schmitt, featuring the first complete Antoine et Cléopâtre. Performed by Jacques Mercier at the head of his orchestra in Lorraine, success was immediate: Diapason d'Or, 10 from Classica, 4 from Le Monde de la Musique... The Orchestre National de Lorraine and Timpani were determined not to let it go at that, and this new album resumes the partnership. Two major world premieres are on the programme of the new album.

Introït, Récit et Congé, for cello and orchestra, enables Henri Demarquette to further his renown in a work that is particularly virtuosic and delicate. As often with Schmitt, he did not hesitate to use a large, luxuriant orchestra, which certainly makes public performance problematic. Is this why it is programmed so rarely? It is indeed a shame, for the sound universe of this demanding score is particularly appealing.

Schmitt took up the idea of H.C. Andersen's Le Petit Elfe Ferme-l'OEil — which he had treated in a work for piano four hands —, turning it into a large ballet, expanding the thematic work, making the colours of the orchestra explode (percussion and keyboards quite present!). This can be related to Ravel's Ma Mère l'Oye — but... more furious —, and the ONL gives it its all! Guided by the very sure baton of Jacques Mercier, whose contribution to the performance of French music can never be sufficiently stressed, his ensemble fully justifies its designation as a national orchestra.

Henri Demarquette, cello
Aline Martin, mezzo-soprano (Petit Elfe)
Orchestre national de Lorraine
Jacques Mercier, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Schmitt: Le petit elfe Ferme-l’oeil & Introït, récit et congé