Frank Martin, moving and intense

Some composers of the first half of the 20th^e century are living an unjust purgatory. Erwin Schulhoff, Henri Dutilleux, Bohuslav Martinů, André Jolivet... Frank Martin is also one of those composers whose name and a few titles every music lover knows, but little more. That's why this recording is such a godsend!

Three works are performed. The piano quintet, the quartet as well as the Pavane couleur du temps. For the first of these, the Terpsycordes quartet has teamed up with pianist Fabrizio Chiovetta, and for the second, the Terpsycordes quartet has teamed up with pianist Fabrizio Chiovetta. Pavaneto cellist François Grin.

Many works for string quartet and piano turn out to be chamber concerti. In young Frank Martin's quintet, the piano is not used as a soloist accompanied by the strings. Instead, it is treated as an equal to the other instruments, providing different colors. And it is precisely as a magnificent colorist that Fabrizio Chiovetta joins Terpsycordes. His subtle touch favors a roundness that excludes any harshness, even in the strongest nuances. Beautiful piano. In this piece, as in the quartet and the PavaneTerpsycordes offers us a lyricism at the level of the bow, thanks to an interpretation imbued with emotion and warmth. Phrases move forward organically, and one senses a total involvement, a love and understanding of this music that brings the listener naturally into these superb pages. There's no overkill, just breathtaking lines, supported by an incredible, luminous, sparkling palette.

One sometimes hears Frank Martin's music described as Calvinistic in its austerity. Nonsense! Here are pages that exude magnificent emotion, intensity and generous humanism. Not to be missed!

Frank Martin: Piano Quintet, String Quartet, Pavane couleur du temps. Quatuor Terpsycordes; Fabrizio Chiovetta, piano; François Grin, cello. Claves Records 3081