Complete Chamber Music

"This attractively packaged set is a convenient assemblage of Roussel's work in the field of chamber music, a sequence of works characterised by the acute, even astringent, intelligence that has gone into their writing and the distinctive beauty of at least some of the results. In some cases better performances of individual works can be found; but there is nothing here that isn't at the very least assured and accomplished. Either as an invitation to get to know one aspect of the work of a composer who still seems to me rather underrated, or as a 'library' set, or as a genuine source of musical pleasure, this is a reissue much to be welcomed."
(Bargain of the Month MusicWeb August 2007)

A rare collection: all of Roussel's music for small ensembles on 3 CD's! It is a mix of varied combinations; sometimes highly unusual ones like piccolo and piano. A late starter, Roussel's compositions mainly date from the first decades of the twentieth century.

Composer Albert Roussel has written a relatively limited oeuvre of delightful music. His works sound typically French and increasingly impressionistic. Then a neo-classical period followed. Somehow Roussel has not benefited from the popularity of music by contemporary French composers.

Recordings on these CD's included rarely performed music like the Aria no. 2 for Oboe and Piano, and Music from Elpénor, Poème radiophonique for flute and string quartet (1937). Also included are the Deux poèmes de Ronsard, Op. 26, for flute and soprano.

Great performances by prominent Dutch musicians like Paul Verhey on the flute, horn player Herman Jeurissen and cellist Herre-Jan Stegenga.