Search - Dutilleux, Baudo, Orchestre National de Lyon :: Symphonie 1

Henri Dutilleux: a true French composer

Crt Sojar Voglar | Ljubljana, Slovenia | 07/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Dutilleux has always been a true French composer, particulary for his tonal colour (which was always a French speciality) and orchestral beauty.

Here we have too works which are separated by nearly 30 years; the early first symphony and mature two movement piece Timbres, Espace, Mouvement.

The first symphony is still quite traditional. There are four movements: the first is in passacaglia form, well developed, with rich orchestration and especially memorable conclusion. Second movement is a scherzo of high knownledge of virtuosity. Third movement, perhaps the most beautiful of all, is a dark nocturne, with excellent melodies in strings. Final movement is a bit too long and lacks the energy that the finale should have.



The second composition Timbres, Espace, Mouvement is different, but has the same orchestral refinement as the first symphony has. There is absence of high strings, and composer favoures winds and metal percussion. Perhaps Dutilleux thinks too much about sound colouring and too little for development but overall the result is a memorable work and a true display of the French composer."