The Orsino Ensemble was formed with the intention of exploring lesser-known wind repertory, and that's exactly what the group does here. With the exception of the three small pieces by Debussy and perhaps the Flute Concertino in D major, Op. 107, of Cécile Chaminade, a virtuoso work that still bedevils conservatory students, the pieces here are all but unknown, and many are charming. The music exists at the juncture of expanding instrument technology and a Conservatoire in Paris that was ready to exploit it; some of it was ...
Read More
The Orsino Ensemble was formed with the intention of exploring lesser-known wind repertory, and that's exactly what the group does here. With the exception of the three small pieces by Debussy and perhaps the Flute Concertino in D major, Op. 107, of Cécile Chaminade, a virtuoso work that still bedevils conservatory students, the pieces here are all but unknown, and many are charming. The music exists at the juncture of expanding instrument technology and a Conservatoire in Paris that was ready to exploit it; some of it was connected to a society for modern wind instruments in Paris, where one might easily imagine this varied program having been played. The pieces range from a flute solo, Debussy's Syrinx (which makes an arresting ending), to the full winds-and-piano sextet, with pianist Pavel Kolesnikov, in Albert Roussel's opening Divertissement, Op. 6. Along the way are pieces ranging from conservative (Saint-Saëns) to the radical (Debussy) but what strikes one in this context is how much the pieces...
Read Less