François-Clément Théodore Dubois
(1837-1924)
Trio for Piano & Strings #1 in C minor
Trio for Piano & Strings #2 in E Major
Promenade sentimentale
Canon
Cantilène
Trio Hochelaga
Atma Classique ACD2-2362
The elegance of Camille Saint-Saëns and the expansive and immediately accessible emotional content of Gabriel Fauré are heard throughout this recent CD (2005). Slow movements are full of polite, almost restrained passion, and faster movements are usually very light and bubbly, reminding me of similar movements in Maurice Ravel's chamber music.
It is ironic that Dubois fell out of favor when he refused to join the impressionist "revolution"; after being influential and popular both as composer and teacher, he spent his last twenty years of life in obscurity. He is known now mostly for his "Seven Last Words of Christ" although he was a prolific composer. Also highly recommended is the companion CD: Works for Piano and Strings Vol. II (Atma Classique ACD2-2385) to be discussed in the future.
