Milhaud's Scaramouche Suite was originally composed for two pianos in 1937 at the request of Marguerite Long, with other versions following later.
Composition History
The title of Scaramouche does not refer to the Commedia dell'Arte character, but to Milhaud's recent completion of music for a Molière adaptation at the Scaramouche Theatre in Paris.
Composer Biography
Milhaud's interest in Brazilian folk music began during his first stay in South America, where he worked with Paul Claudel, and he often drew inspiration from this musical universe.
Compositional Technique
Milhaud's music is characterized by the clear, rational use of irregular rhythmic elements, layering harmonic sounds to construct chords, and sliding between different tonal spheres.
Performer Biography
Pierluigi Bernard, the clarinetist on this album, received two of the former London Symphony Orchestra Principal Jack Brymer's clarinets as a gift, having been his disciple.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Darius Milhaud, a 20th-century composer, rejected the role of an artist as a vehicle for social or political convictions, aiming for intelligible yet not obvious compositions.
Composer Biography
Despite being confined to a wheelchair by arthritis in his later years, Milhaud continued his activities as a composer, conductor, and teacher.
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