Benjamin Godard was a highly prolific 19th century French composer, writing in nearly every possible genre: opera, symphonies, concertos, chamber and solo music. The Berceuse from his opera Jocelyn became a classic “hit”.
This recording present 81 minutes of works for piano solo, including the first complete recording of the “20 pièces pour piano Op. 58”.
The music is of enchanting and idyllic simplicity, conjuring up innocent landscapes, pastoral scenes and bucolic humour. Of especial fame is his piano piece “Les patineurs”, the ice skaters.
Italian pianist Alessandro Deljavan (who made a lasting impression on last year’s Van Cliburn Competition) captures the right spirit of these works, with his palette of infinitely varied colours and sonorities.
Benjamin Godard: Barcarolle No. 2 in F Major, Op. 80
00:00:00 Barcarolle No. 2 in F Major, Op. 80
Benjamin Godard: Barcarolle No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 105
00:04:42 Barcarolle No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 105
Benjamin Godard: Scènes italiennes, Op. 126
00:09:07 Serenade florentine
00:13:24 Sicillienne
00:17:53 Tarentelle
Benjamin Godard: 20 Pièces
00:22:41 No 1 in B-Flat Major: Valse villageoise
00:24:23 No 2 in A Minor: Ballade
00:26:24 No 3 in F Major: Rococo
00:27:40 No 4 in E Major: Scherzetto
00:31:10 No 5 in F Major: Vieux conte en style moderne
00:33:18 No 6 in G Major: Petit canon
00:35:21 No 7 in A-Flat Major: Confidence
00:37:47 No 8 in A Major: Pantins
00:42:44 No 9 in E-Flat Major: Près de la Mer
00:47:15 No 10 in C Major: Do, Do, l’enfant do
00:50:03 No 11 in F Major: Les patineurs
00:55:36 No 12 in G Major: Romance sans paroles
00:58:19 No 13 in F Major: Bagatelle
01:00:40 No 14 in F Minor: Prélude
01:02:54 No 15 in G-Flat Major: Improvisation
01:06:48 No 16 in A Minor: Courante
01:08:50 No 17 in D-Flat Major: A la Chopin
01:11:57 No 18 in G Major: Variations sur un air ecossais
