Théodore Dubois - Violin Sonata; Cello Sonata (Anne Robert; Benoît Loiselle; Stéphane Lemelin)

Information

Composer: Théodore Dubois

• Sonata for Cello & Piano in D major
• Ballade for Violin & Piano
• Nocturne for Cello & Piano
• Mélodie for Violin & Piano
• Andante appassionato for Cello & Piano
• Sonata for Violin & Piano in A major
• Andante cantabile for Cello & Piano
• Meditation for Violin & Piano
• Scherzetto for Violin & Piano
• Cavatine for Cello & Piano

Anne Robert, violin

Benoît Loiselle, cello

Stéphane Lemelin, piano

Date: 2009

Label: ATMA Classique

https://atmaclassique.com/en/product/theodore-dubois-musique-de-chambre/

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Review

A different side to organ-composer Dubois, and an enterprising recording

The name on the cover caught my eye. Organists will know Théodore Dubois (1837-1924) from his Toccata in G (No 3 of Douze pièces), Fiat lux and other showpieces for the instrument, but I doubt if many have come across his chamber music. From the myriad forgotten examples of the 19th and early 20th century one looks for an individual voice – a striking turn of phrase, something beyond the routine; for mere well-schooled composers and craftsmanship were never in short supply. On that score, Dubois just about makes the grade. A hint of the musical language one can expect can be got from the composer himself, from a heartfelt outcry made when he was 75 years old and quoted in Marc Weiser’s informative notes: “The art of Berlioz, Franck, Lalo, Gounod, Massenet and Saint-Saëns is not dead!”

The Sonata for cello and piano begins conventionally enough, but its second movement is arresting, with a lovely opening theme that dissolves into a fearsome Scherzo; next, after the dangerously sentimental first subject of the Ballade, comes an idea catchy enough to tempt others to try it; and then there’s the Violin Sonata (premiered in 1900 by Ysaÿe and Pugno, no less). Here is a really excellent work, the finest on the disc. It may be indebted to Franck and Saint-Saëns but its passionate outpouring and appealing lyricism are none the worse for that.

Overall, by the end of this enjoyable, convincingly played and well recorded collection, one is left with the feeling that Dubois indubitably merits the commitment of these fine musicians and the effort that’s gone into such an enterprising disc.

-- Jeremy Nicholas, Gramophone

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Théodore Dubois (24 August 1837 – 11 June 1924) was a French Romantic composer, organist, and music teacher. After study at the Paris Conservatoire, Dubois won France's premier musical prize, the Prix de Rome in 1861. He became an organist and choirmaster at several well-known churches in Paris, and at the same time was a professor in the Conservatoire. In 1896 he succeeded Ambroise Thomas as the Conservatoire's director. As a composer, Dubois was seen as capable and tasteful, but not strikingly original or inspired. His books on music theory were influential, and remained in use for many years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Théodore_Dubois

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