> Debussy: Orchestral Works Vol.6. Orchestre National de Lyon. Naxos CD
This is the sixth in a sensitive and praised series of discs.
Suite Bergamasque leads off in happy style, with "Clair de Lune" as one of its four movements. A charmingly graceful Petite Suite is followed by the popular Printemps but then the mood darkens with En Blanc et Noir, written during World War 1.
Finally, we hear Debussy's sole attempt at writing a symphony: a youthful work in B minor of which he only completed the first movement. The rich and joyful spirit of French romanticism returns.
Highlight: chill of war painted in sombre slow movement of En Blanc et Noir.
> Pijper and Escher: Violin Sonatas. Philippe Griffin (violin), Jelger Blanken (piano). Onyx CD.
Pijper represents impressionism in Sonata No.1 and No.2 (1919 and 1931), plus Sonata for Violin Solo (1931). Escher, his pupil, wrote his Sonata for Violin and Piano in 1950. Voormolen's work is a fine Pastorale written originally for oboe and piano but transcribed in 1940.
All four composers died in the last century and were touched by the horrors of World War 2. This shows dramatically in Sonatina (1955) by de Leeuw, emphasising bravura and climax with tinges of Prokofiev or Shostakovich.
Highlight: French violinist and German pianist "go Dutch."
