LÉON BOËLLMANN (1862-1897): Symphony in F, Op. 24, Variations symphoniques for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 23, 4 Pièces brèves for Strings (from Heures mystiques).

Description: Known almost solely for his Suite Gothique for organ, this short-lived composer happily surprises us with a 32-minute symphony dedicated to Saint-Saëns from 1894 which, like the latter’s Third Symphony, condenses the initial allegro and slow movement into a single movement. A brief Intermède varié replaces a slow movement and a Récitatif et Final acts as a final movement where a long violin cadenza leads into a lively tarantella to include the work. The piéces bréves are orchestrations made in 1896 of two short, easy pieces from a series for harmonium while the Variations have appeared on CD in their cello-and-piano version (07-056 in our very first catalogue after taking over Records International in July of 1997!). Recorded in January 2018, this was intended for release on the marvelous Timpani label (which has apparently breathed its last), so it’s very good that it found a new home here! Orchestre symphonique de Mulhouse; Patrick Davin, Henri Demarquette.