SAINT-SAËNS - SIX DUOS Op.8 - HARMONIUM AND PIANO - EUROPÄISCHES HARMONIUM FESTIVAL

Scott Brothers Duo (Jonathan & Tom Scott) perform the complete Six Duos for Harmonium and Piano Op. 8 by Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

1. I Fantasia e Fuga 00:23
2. II Cavatina 07:23
3. III Choral 12:36
4. IV Capriccio 17:40
5. V Scherzo 20:09
6. VI Finale 23:45

Harmonium: VICTOR MUSTEL, PARIS (No. 287, 1878)
Piano: C. BECHSTEIN, BERLIN 1902

Recorded during the Zweites Europäisches Harmoniumfestival October 2017 in Brüggen Castle, Brüggen, Germany

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ABOUT THE SIX DUOS:

Saint-Saëns was the first significant composer to write seriously for the harmonium, and in 1852 he composed Trois Pieces Op.1 for the instrument. The inventor of the harmonium, Alexander Debain, wished to increase the repertoire for his new instrument and asked Saint-Saëns to write a set of duos for Harmonium and Piano. Saint-Saëns completed his Six Duos for Harmonium and Piano Op.8 in May 1858 and dedicated the work to Lefébure-Wély (1817-1869). Saint-Saëns performed the work several times during his lifetime, including a performance with Alexandre Guilmant at the Salle Pleyel on 30th January 1872.

The Six Duos are a highly contrasting set of pieces. The opening Fantasia e Fuga is a virtuosic piano 'etude' in scales and octaves, utilising the theme of the Fantasia in diminution as the fugal subject. The romantic Cavatina is reminiscent of Saint-Saëns' late woodwind sonatas, with a simple piano part providing the accompaniment to the harmonium's solo melody. The Choral presents turbulent piano writing interrupted by solo harmonium statements taken from Bach's Chorale harmonization (Cantata No.10) of the Gregorian tonus peregrinus. The Choral is followed by a mischievous Capriccio which takes advantage of the harmoniums divided keyboard to create a unique repeated note effect which is imitated by the piano. The Scherzo is in the style of a Tarantella and precedes the triumphant Finale which evokes the symphonic grandeur of pealing bells and orchestra.

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