20th Century French Flute Concertos

Featuring

Perry So
Ransom Wilson
BBC Concert Orchestra
Jean Françaix
Jean Rivier
Jean-Michel Damase

Jacques Ibert

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Instruments

These four works highlight the pioneering role of 20th-century French musicians in reviving and promoting the flute as a solo instrument.

Performer Biography

Perry So, the conductor for this album, received the First and Special Prizes at the Fifth International Prokofiev Conducting Competition in St Petersburg.

Historical Context

The music on this program, despite being from less familiar composers, is recognizably 'of its time,' similar to works by Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Bartók.

Performer Biography

Ransom Wilson, the flutist and conductor on this album, has launched an ongoing series of solo recordings on the Nimbus label and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards.

Recording & Production

The BBC Concert Orchestra, featured on this album, aims to bring inspiring musical experiences to everyone with its versatility, and can be heard regularly on BBC Radio 2 and 3.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The four works on this album belong to a 'secret garden' of 20th-century French music, showcasing composers whose names may be less familiar but made outstanding contributions.

Instruments

Paul Taffanel, a widely admired flutist and professor at the Paris Conservatoire, vastly expanded the flute's technical and expressive palette, influencing composers like Gounod and Saint-Saëns.