Volupté

01/08/2010
Michael Southern
Australian Hi-Fi (Australia)

This music is not well-known, and neither are the two composers, Charles Kœchlin and Joseph Jongen. However their works certainly deserve a wide hearing. There is a sense of serenity throughout and there is a strong case for a glass of red to accompany this disc. There’s lots of colour and wit in the Kœchlin which is easy-going...music with the four miniatures scored also for horn. It’s easy listening.

The sonata ranks among his best works. Jongen’s compostions are equally contemplative and full of mesmerising themes, some in a dark mood. In contrast, Introduction and Dance Opus 102 is quite light-hearted. Melba has once again given us a very high recording standard and there are good liner notes by Ivan March.