Toon Fret is the flautist for the ensembles Oxalys and het Collectief, while Veronika Iltchenko is recognized for her performances of late-romantic and 20th-century works.
Composition History
The Société nationale de musique, founded in 1871 by Camille Saint-Saëns and Romain Bussine, aimed to promote French music and counter the dominant influence of German music after the Franco-Prussian War.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Belle Époque composers often created music that evoked impressionistic landscapes or fantasy worlds, using a complex palette of pastels and mixed colors rather than stark contrasts.
Historical Context
Salons, informal social and cultural gatherings of the French aristocracy and bourgeoisie, played a significant role in French music during the Belle Époque, offering opportunities for composers to premiere new works.
Instruments
The silver Boehm flute, developed by flautist, jeweler, and goldsmith Theobald Boehm, offered unprecedented virtuosity and a crystal-clear sound, which French composers of the Belle Époque were the first to fully explore.
Historical Context
The 'Belle Époque' refers to the period between the end of the Franco-Prussian War (1871) and the start of World War I, seen nostalgically as a happy, carefree time.
