François Kerdoncuff, the pianist, has won multiple international awards, including the Special Rachmaninov Prize at the Marguerite Long International Competition.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Ropartz's music embodies the essence of 'l'esprit français' through its synthesis of philosophical musical thought with sovereign balance and perfection of form and writing.
Performer Biography
Jean-Marc Phillips-Varjabédian, the violinist on this recording, plays a Petrus Guarnerius violin from Venice, 1748.
Compositional Technique
A specific melodic-rhythmic cell, noted as 'R' (D dotted quaver, C semiquaver, D minim), acts as a signature motif throughout Ropartz's Cello Sonata No. 1 and other works.
Performer Biography
Henri Demarquette, the cellist, was noticed by Yehudi Menuhin and has a career that includes performing contemporary music and inspiring new compositions.
Composer Biography
Joseph-Guy Ropartz, a major figure in early 20th-century French music, was not only a composer but also a novelist, poet, talented administrator, conductor, and composition professor.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Ropartz's music harmoniously combines a strong feeling for nature, the heritage of his mentor César Franck, the harmonic innovations of Fauré and Debussy, and the rich folklore of his native Brittany.
