Featured in Kalman Rubinson's Music in the Round in the March 2006 issue of Stereophile!
Here's something unusual, and in SACD format. Born January 10, 1766 as a son of French chef cuisinier at the court of Kassel, Massonneau received violin lessons and studied composition. After several posts in German cities, he went to Ludwiglust in 1802 where he settled and stayed until his death in 1848. A performer and composer, his music is roughly divided into two periods, primarily instrumental works, then vocal works while under the employ of the Schwerin Court. The three Quartets are strongly rooted in the classical tradition, and Massonneau achieved richly varied movements and sounds which differ greatly from the popular works of contemporaries like Vanhal, Krommer and Pleyel. Richly imaginative, the music is often full of surprises which will delight the listener. This is a perfect disc for those who specifically enjoy music of this period and want something unfamiliar for a change. This is an obvious treat for the oboe specialist as well.
Since its invention at the court of the sun king the oboe has enjoyed great popularity, especially in chamber music. The oboe quartets by Louis Massonneau prove this once more: away from the mainstream, this set of three works displays beautiful themes, extraordinary colours and a great sense of homogeneity. The sound of the oboe matches the string trio perfectly, achieving that great objective of chamber music as a "dialogue between four partners".
Musicians:
Ensemble Piu
Andreas Gosling, oboe
Eva Gosling, violin
Martin Borner, viola
Markus Beul, cello
Selections:
Louis Massonneau (1766-1848)
Three Quartets for Oboe and Strings
Quartet No. 1 in F-Major
1. Allegro moderato
2. Adagio
3. Andante con Variazioni
Quartet No. 2 in B-Flat Major
4. Allegro moderato
5. Andante
6. Poco Allegretto molto scherzando
Quartet No. 3 in C-Major
7. Allegro moderato
8. Andante con Variazioni
9. Rondo. Presto
Total Time: 40:40
