Pastorales de Noël
Pastorales de Noël is a trio composition for flute, bassoon and harp written by André Jolivet in 1943.[1] It is cast in four movements and lasts about 12 minutes.[2]
It has been described as an "unusual and very lovely Christmas piece".[3]
Overview
The work, for the most part gentle and evocative, establishes a mood of antiquity.[1] The four scenes are vividly characterized and the instruments are used to great effect.[3]
The opening movement L'Étoile (The Star) begins with a mysterious duet for flute and bassoon[4][5] and features sparkling harp arpeggios.[3] In Les Mages, the bassoon and the flute echo the Magi's efforts during their journey, with a melody that displays a characteristic augmented interval (E-flat to F-sharp).[3][5] The goal of their pilgrimage is the subject of the next movement, La Vierge et l'enfant. It is extremely simple, based entirely on the C natural-minor scale. The harmony consists only of three chords: Cm, Fm and Gm[5] and calls to mind a peaceful lullaby.[4] The final movement Entrée et danse des bergers (Entrance and Dance of the Shepherds) is more rhythmically complex and changes meter several times.[1] It ends unexpectedly on an E major chord with added sixth.[5]
Movements
- L'Étoile
- Les Mages
- La Vierge et L'Enfant
- Entrée et Danse des Bergers[2]
Selected Discography
- Castagner, Faisandier, Laskine, 2005, Recorded in 1956, Accord 2CD 4767783.
- Trio Nordmann, 1972, Erato STU-70-706.
- The Britten-Pears Ensemble, 1995, ASV CD DCA-918.
- Wiesler-Davidsson-Goodman, 1996, Bis Records CD 739.
- Ensemble Arpeggio, 2004, ASV QS 6252.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Allmusic.com Work Descrption, Joseph Stevenson
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 IRCAM data sheet
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Musicweb-international.com CD Review, 20th Century French Works for Bassoon, Gwyn Parry-Jones. [1]
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chicago Chamber Musicians, Program notes by Dr. Richard E. Rodda, October 2007. [2]
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Chamber Concerts by members of the New York Philharmonic, Program Notes by Gregory Karl. [3]
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