Classical Music Discoveries

Mélanie Bonis (1858–1937), a fine pianist herself, composed some 150 works for solo piano, publishing them with her first name shortened to ‘Mel’ to disguise the fact that she was a woman – while she lived among the French haute bourgeoisie as Mme Domange. They sometimes show the influence of Chabrier and have points of contact with the music of Chausson, Debussy, and Pierné, who had been fellow students at the Paris Conservatoire. But they also reveal an individual approach to rhythm, harmony and tone-color – and it’s clear that her conventional exterior hid a lively sense of fun, her many miniatures for children perhaps influenced by her own experience as a mother.

Tracks

1. Barcarolle in E-Flat Major, Op. 71 (publ. 1906) (4:40)
2. L’escarpolette, Op. 52 (publ. 1901) (4:23)

Les Femmes de Légende (publ. 2003)

1. No. 1 Mélisande, Op. 109 (1922) (2:40)
2. No. 3 Ophélie, Op. 165 No. 1 (1909) (5:00)
3. No. 6 Salomé, Op. 100 No. 1 (publ. 1909) (4:26)
4. No. 5 Phœbée, Op. 30 (publ. 1909) (3:21)
5. Romance sans parole, Op. 56 (publ. 1905) (2:18)
6. Mazurka, Op. 26 (publ. 1896) (3:59)
7. Il pleut!, Op. 102 (publ. 1913) (2:34)
8. Méditation, Op. 33 (publ. 1905) (3:08)

Cinq petites piéces (publ. 1929) (9:17)

1. Une flûte soupire, Op. 117 (1:59)
2. Berceuse triste, Op. 118 (1:41)
3. Boston Valse, Op. 119 (1:17)
4. Agitato, Op. 120 (1:33)
5. Cloches Iointaines, Op. 121 (2:47)
6. Fauré Clair de Lune, transc. Bonis (publ. 1933) (3:12)

Scènes enfantines, Op. 92 (publ. 1912)* (14:01)

1. I. Aubade (2:10)
2. II. Joyeux réveil (1:46)
3. III. Cache-cache (1:37)
4. IV. Valse lente (1:19)
5. V. Marche militaire (1:57)
6. VI. Frère Jacques (2:08)
7. VII. Bébé s’endort (1:39)
8. VIII. Carillon (1:25)

Cinq pièces musicales (publ. 1897) (14:43)

1. No. 1 Gai printemps: Impromptu, Op. 11 (publ. 1889) (2:52)
2. No. 2 Romance sans Paroles, Op. 29 (3:16)
3. No. 3 Menuet, Op. 14 (publ. 1889) (3:46)
4. No. 4 Eglogue, Op. 12 (publ. 1889) (3:08)
5. No. 5 Papillons, Op. 28 (1:41)

*First Recordings
 

This album is broadcast with the permission of Sean Dacy from Rosebrook Media.