Reynaldo Hahn (1875-1947) Chamber Music Sonata in C major for Violin and Piano (1926 - 20:12) Soliloque et Forlane for Viola and Piano (1937 - 7:42) Nocturne in E flat major for Violin and Piano (1906 - 5:30) Romance in A major for Violin and Piano (1901 - 4:27) Piano Quartet No. 3 in G major (1946 - 21:57) Si mes vers avaient des ailes (1888 - 1:53) (Song transcribed for Cello and Piano) Room-Music: Stephen Coombs, piano Charles Sewart, violin Yuko Inoue, viola Philip de Groote, cello Recorded in Henry Wood Hall, London, May 2003 Released March 2004 Hyperion CDA67391 [62:01] Most of Reynaldo Hahn's compositions share some common traits that definitely apply to the works on this new chamber music disc on Hyperion: 1. Hahn was a gifted melodist and excellent musical architect. In effect, he was born to write music. 2. Hahn's is 'feel good' music in the best sense and steeped in the environment of the salon. In meteorological terms, the clouds do sometimes hover but are always swept aside by high pressure systems - the barometer is rising. 3. Emotional restraint is prevalent and subtlety abounds. It reminds me very much of the British 'stiff upper lip' stereotype. 4. Nostalgia is a common theme. This effect does not involve remorse, but a warm feeling that flows through the body when remembering events and people of your past. 5. The lyricism seems to be effortless, rhythms are supple, and Hahn's music has an inner glow even when he's in a melancholy state. 6. Hahn does not blaze new trails, being wedded to the traditions of the 19th century. According to the liner notes, "Room-Music is a consortium of internationally acclaimed musicians who wish to perform and explore chamber music in a flexible and innovative form". If you know what that means, please clue me in. The main thing is that each of the performing artists on the disc plays splendidly, and they sound like a group that's been together for years. The program begins with the three-Movement Sonata in C major for Violin and Piano. The 1st Movement is in sonata form and has two primary themes: the first theme is a lovely one having a wonderful blend of energy and repose, while the second offers a slower tempo and a little angst for contrast. The 2nd Movement Scherzo finds the violin and piano taking turns scurrying all over the terrain, interrupted by a slower and softer central section with the violin playing the melody high above an undulated piano. In the 3rd Movement, a gorgeous melancholy takes hold of Hahn, but it disappears when the opening theme of the work returns; at the end, everybody's satisfied. Not a masterpiece by any means, the C major Sonata is thoroughly enchanting and represents vintage Hahn. The Soliloque et Forlane's first subject is a highly nostalgic and lovely Andante followed by a frisky second subject marked "Allegro scherzando". The next two pieces, the Nocturne and the Romance, are permeated with the inner glow I mentioned earlier in the review. The shortest piece on the program is Hahn's transcription for cello and piano of a song he wrote at the age of thirteen. Although having its obvious limitations, Hahn at a tender age is already showing his penchant for gorgeous melodies and naturally flowing lines. The other major work on the disc in addition to the Violin Sonata is the four-Movement Piano Quartet in G major. Being written in 1946, you might expect to hear something that rings of 20th century trends in musical aesthetics. Well, you won't get any appreciable degree of the 20th century from the work, although the 3rd Movement Andante does involve some inventive harmonic terracing. The 1st Movement is a moderate Allegro with some high drama in the central section, and the 2nd Movement Allegro assai continues the dark outlook. As always with Hahn, good cheer is the mood of the day in the 4th Movement. Getting back to that 3rd Movement Andante, it is the most impressive music on the disc. Although there is a central section of some angst, the prevailing emotional foundation is one of repose and contemplation. Enhancing this state, Hahn offers harmonic terracing where the music softly attempts to find its natural resting spot. The Andante is drop-dead gorgeous and not to be missed. Recorded quality is outstanding. Each instrument is boldly projected, and their blending is unanimous. No matter where the audio controls are set, Hahn's music beguiles this listener. Don's Conclusions: There aren't a wealth of Reynaldo Hahn chamber music recordings, so each new one deserves investigation. This private detective has found the new Hyperion disc excellent, and it may be added to a few others that offer prime-time Hahn in agreeable performances. Of special note is an Auvidis/Valois disc (V 4848) of Hahn's Piano Quintet and the two String Quartets played by the Quatuor Parisii with Alexandre Tharaud on piano; this is a knock-out disc that would well complement the new Hyperion. Sticking with Hyperion, Hahn's Piano Quintet is paired with the tragic Piano Quintet of Louis Vierne; this is also a great recording (Hyp. 67258). Finally, I read a glowing review of a Maguelone disc having Hahn's Piano Quintet and the Violin Sonata; the catalog number is 111.107. I have not heard the disc and never heard of the record label, but I do know that it can be purchased through MusicWeb. That's about it. Reynaldo Hahn represents the best of the lighter side of classical music, and the new Hyperion disc and could be the perfect ornament to a candle-lit dinner with romance on the mind. It also sounds good under alternative scenarios. The most important consideration is that those folks who think of Hahn as nothing more than a fine spinner of songs need to hear his chamber music which is of equal artistry. Concerning Room-Music, this group needs to get a new name; you never know when they might have to play music requiring more spacious accomodations. Don Satz [log in to unmask]