CD: Fantasque - Alexis Demailly

Fantasque
Cornet soloist: Alexis Demailly
www.alexisdemailly.com

This is a fine CD of new music for cornet and string quartet. The ensemble fits rather well into that tradition of clarinet quintets, the most famous of which are the Mozart, Brahms and Weber. One might expect the balance to be difficult to achieve, given the strength of a cornet against the string quartet, but the string quartet successfully provides accompaniment for what are the cornet solos.

For instance, in La Cigale et la fourmi, Meditation and Furie, the chamber music ethos of more equal partners is beautifully maintained and the recorded quality is excellent throughout.

On the evidence of this CD, Alexis Demailly is one of Europe’s finest cornet players. He has brought together some fine composers, some familiar and, to me anyway, some new voices. Peter Meechan, Joseph Vella, Fabien Cali, Stan Nieuwenhuis, Arnaud Boukhitine and Nicolas Charron bring, in the words of Alexis, new perspectives, non-conformist originality and inspiration for this innovative CD.

Alexis demonstrates clarity of sound and technique that are second-to-none. For technical brilliance, the title work Fantasque and Furie are simply superb. Charlie on my mind is an evocative response to the terrorist attack on the magazine editors at Charlie Hebdo and, in the beautiful Meditation by Peter Meechan, moments are created where the listener ceases to hear specific instruments and is transported into the state to that William Pater (the 19th Century essayist on literature and art) suggested all art aspires.

There are hints of 20th Century French trumpet repertoire in Juillet 2015, bringing to mind Henri Tomasi, Marius Constant and Jean Francaix and, in Furie, I was reminded of the Finnish composer, Rautavaara, along with the American minimalist, Steve Reich.

The new take on Greensleeves as a theme and variations is well conceived and Alexis’s lyrical performance of the short finale, Doyle’s Lament shows true artistry

There is uniqueness about this collection that makes it an invaluable addition to any brass enthusiast’s collection. As a musical entity, this ensemble works so well and would not be out of place at any chamber music festival. I also hope that it might inspire some of our young composers to think more tangentially when writing for brass.

However, there can be no better reason to acquire this CD than for the sheer artistry of Alexis Demailly and the Urban String Quartet.

PAUL COSH – PROFESSIONAL TRUMPETER – CONDUCTOR – EDUCATOR

For more reviews, interviews and articles, subscribe to BBW Digital. Alternatively, subscribe to the printed magazine delivered by post: £40 (UK); £68 (Europe); £81 (Rest of the World)