Maurice Ravel's Chansons madécasses, M. 78, a singular work, was inspired by a literary hoax: poems by Évariste Désiré de Forge, Vicomte de Parny, who claimed they were Madagascan texts despite never visiting the island.
Instruments
The Louis Lot flute used on this recording was once forgotten in a taxi by its owner, Gaston Blanquart, but was returned thanks to a business card in its case.
Instruments
The album features a rare 1867 Louis Lot flute, made of silver with an 18k gold embouchure plate, which once belonged to the eminent flutist Gaston Blanquart.
Recording & Production
This album includes the world premiere recording of Jean Cartan's Le Pastour for flute, voice, and piano, and Pauline Viardot's Le Roussignolet with historically informed pronunciation.
Notable Performances
Gaston Blanquart, the flutist to whom this album is a tribute, was the principal flutist for the premieres of Ravel's Daphnis and Chloé and Stravinsky's Petrouchka, The Nightingale, and The Rite of Spring.
Composition History
Gabriel Fauré found composing his Fantaisie, Op. 79 for flute and piano, a competition piece for the Paris Conservatory, to be a great struggle, writing that 'nothing else in the world' had given him 'so much trouble'.
Performer Biography
Gaston Blanquart, a major figure of the French Flute School, was the principal flutist for the Concerts Colonne from 1905 to 1939 and premiered many important works.
