Belle Epoque Works by Chaminade, Koechlin, Aubert, Hahn and Debussy

Here is a disc that is effervescent with joy from the off: Cécile Chaminade’s Valse carnavalesque Op 73 begins a journey through the music of late 18th- to early 19th-century Paris. Charles Koechlin’s Suite Op 6 breathes fragrantly and easily, Berlinskaya and Ancelle’s pianism fluent and sensitive.

There is a world premiere recording here in the shape of Louis Aubert’s Suite brève, its brief central ‘Berceuse’ suspended in the air; while Hahn’s suite of 12 beautifully proportioned waltzes entitled Le ruban dénoué conjures string performances. Debussy’s En blanc et noir is the most famous piece here, given a superbly intelligent reading that, while not dislodging Argerich/ Kovacevich or the Labèques, breathes its own rarefied air. A most interesting release.

COLIN CLARKE Read the full review on Agora Classica