Maurice Ravel stated that his intention to evoke the poetry of childhood in his work Ma Mère l'Oye naturally led him to simplify his style of writing.
Composer Biography
Jean Cras, a composer featured on this album, was an admiral and commander of the port of Brest, who never chose between his musical and naval vocations.
Composition History
Four-hand piano music was popular in France around 1900 because it could be performed in smaller venues and offered pedagogical and social benefits, allowing players of different skill levels to play together.
Composer Biography
Paul Ladmirault, another composer on this album, was a favorite student of Gabriel Fauré and integrated elements of Celtic imagination and folklore into his compositions.
Performer Biography
Jean-Pierre Ferey, one of the pianists on this album, has an original and extensive discography, including first recordings of works by Jean Cras, Charles Koechlin, and others.
Critical Reception
Maurice Ravel, a composer on this album, praised Jean Cras's music, a significant compliment given Ravel's generally harsh judgment of his peers.
Historical Context
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, France experienced a flourishing period for music, driven by economic prosperity and a demand for music suitable for private salons.
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