Unsung Composers

The Music => Composers & Music => Topic started by: kolaboy on Monday 15 August 2016, 01:56

Title: René Lenormand (1846-1932)
Post by: kolaboy on Monday 15 August 2016, 01:56
I've just heard his Piano Trio op.30 and am smitten. It seems to be the only piece of his that has been recorded, however. There's only a brief blurb about him on Wikipedia. Anyone here familiar with him - and with other works of his that may be hiding out there... somewhere?
Title: Re: René Lenormand (1846-1932)
Post by: Alan Howe on Monday 15 August 2016, 11:41
Thanks for the heads-up - sounds a wonderful work. Excerpts (tracks 8-11) here:
https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Trio-Chausson/hnum/2492835 (https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/art/Trio-Chausson/hnum/2492835)
Title: Re: René Lenormand (1846-1932)
Post by: Double-A on Monday 15 August 2016, 15:39
Since we are looking at this disk let me say that the other two pieces are also well worth it.

The Debussy I worked on once with friends and a coach.  So I know it fairly well.  It is an early work, indeed Debussy was still a student when he wrote it, so it doesn't sound very much like mature Debussy.  But it is inspired throughout, has strongly individualized parts, somewhat fragile sounding (a problem for performers, something more sturdy like the Lenormand is easier), very charming.

Chaminade does not need a shoutout IMHO.
Title: Re: René Lenormand (1846-1932)
Post by: eschiss1 on Monday 15 August 2016, 15:46
By the way I see there's a brief piano work by Lenormand from his Op.110 (copyright 1925) played by Sear here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUhou-p_Sjg).
Also, his piano concerto in F op 53 was given its UK premiere at the Proms in 1903.