Les Vents Français - French Music For Winds 20th century Wind Quintets

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Review by Jose Lino

A Quintessential Journey Through French Wind Music: Les Vents Français’ “French Music For Winds” Released in 2014 under Warner Classics, French Music For Winds – 20th Century Wind Quintets by Les Vents Français is a masterclass in chamber music. The album showcases the quintet’s finesse with works from composers like Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, and György Ligeti. Featuring Emmanuel Pahud on flute, François Leleux on oboe, Paul Meyer on clarinet, Gilbert Audin on bassoon, and Radovan Vlatković on French horn, this ensemble breathes life into some of the most intricate pieces of the 20th century. The album spans an impressive range of styles, but two tracks stood out for me personally—“La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~1. Cortège” and “6 Bagatelles for Wind Quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~3. Allegro grazioso.” Let’s dive into why these moments lingered long after the final note faded. --- Cortège: A Grand Entrance Right off the bat, “Cortège” grabs your attention. It’s not just another opener; it feels like walking into a grand hall where everyone turns to look at you. Milhaud’s composition is lively yet refined, carried beautifully by the interplay between the instruments. The flute dances lightly while the bassoon grounds everything with its rich undertones. What struck me was how natural it all sounded—no forced virtuosity here, just pure musicianship. You can almost picture the procession implied by the title, full of pomp but never overdone. There’s something about that balance that makes it unforgettable. --- Allegro grazioso: Playful Perfection If “Cortège” is the dignified welcome, then “Allegro grazioso” is the mischievous friend pulling you onto the dance floor. This track, part of Ligeti’s 6 Bagatelles, bursts with energy and wit. The clarinet takes center stage, darting around playfully while the other instruments chime in like co-conspirators. It’s short, barely two minutes, but leaves such a vivid impression. I found myself humming bits of it hours later, which doesn’t happen often with modern classical pieces. Maybe it’s the way they nail the timing—the pauses are as expressive as the notes themselves—or maybe it’s just the sheer joy radiating through every second. --- Why This Album Works What sets this album apart isn’t just the technical brilliance of Les Vents Français—it’s their ability to make complex music feel approachable. Whether it’s Poulenc’s melancholic Trois Pièces brèves or Ligeti’s quirky bagatelles, there’s always a sense of humanity behind the notes. These aren’t just performances; they’re conversations among friends who know each other inside out. And honestly? Listening to this record felt like eavesdropping on one of those rare evenings when talented people gather and simply play for the love of it. That vibe is hard to fake. --- Final Thoughts By the time the last note of Summer Music, Op. 31 faded away, I realized something surprising: I hadn’t skipped a single track. In today’s age of playlists and shuffled songs, that’s saying something. Sure, some movements were more memorable than others, but the whole experience felt cohesive—a testament to both the composers and the performers. Would I recommend this album? Absolutely. But here’s the kicker—it might also convince skeptics that classical music isn’t all stuffy concert halls and stern-faced conductors. Sometimes, it’s just five brilliant musicians having fun together. And really, isn’t that what music should be about? Rating: 9/10 Word count: ~600

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Artist: Les Vents Français
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Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~3. Allegro grazioso02:28
IV. La Maousinglade
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~5. Sehr lebhaft03:03
I. Ouverture
IV. Presto Ruvido
III. Allegro Grazioso
V. Sehr Lebhaft
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~6. Chasse à Valabre01:45
I. Allegro
Sonatine For Oboe And Bassoon
Trois Pièces Brèves
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~7. Madrigal-Nocturne02:45
II. Récitatif
Wind Quintet~3. Vivace07:56
II. Fugue
II. Aubade
III. Menuet
III. Ostinato
Summer Music, Op. 3111:43
III. Assez Lent - Allegro Scherzando
Le Tombeau De Couperin
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~6. Molto vivace (Capriccioso)01:40
Sonatina for oboe, clarinet and bassoon~1. Allegro giocoso02:19
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~1. Lustig. Mäßig schnelle Viertel03:03
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~1. Cortège02:01
Le Tombeau de Couperin~2. Fugue03:59
I. Lustig. Mäbig Schnelle Viertel
6 Bagatelles For Wind Quintet
III. Vivace
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~3. Ruhig und einfach. Achtel04:28
II. Andante - Allegretto - Tempo I
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~4. Schnelle Viertel00:48
IV. Schnelle Viertel
Sonatina for oboe, clarinet and bassoon~2. Andante - Allegretto - Tempo 103:22
Le Tombeau de Couperin~1. Prélude03:13
III. Grave - Alelgrissimo
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~5. Adagio mesto (Béla Bartók in memoriam)02:31
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~1. Allegro con spirito01:15
Summer Music Op. 31
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~4. Presto ruvido01:04
La Cheminée Du Roi René - Suite Op. 205
Sonatina For Oboe, Clarinet And Bassoon
Trois Pièces brèves~1. Allegro02:21
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~5. Joutes sur l'Arc00:56
IV. Rigaudon
Trois Pièces brèves~2. Andante01:42
Sonatine for oboe and bassoon~3. Ostinato03:09
Sonatine for oboe and bassoon~2. Récitatif02:56
Wind Quintet~1. Allegro con moto09:42
I. Allegro Con Spirito
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~4, La Maousinglade02:31
Sonatina for oboe, clarinet and bassoon~3. Grave - Allegrissimo03:22
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~2. Rubato lamentoso03:26
V. Adagio Mesto
II. Andante
III. Jongleurs
V. Joutes Sur L'arc
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~2. Aubade01:58
I. Cortège
VI. Molto Vivace
VII. Madrigal-Nocturne
Humoreske (Rondo)04:22
Sonatine for oboe and bassoon~1. Ouverture02:07
Humoreske
II. Walzer. Durchweg, Sehr Leise
Le Tombeau de Couperin~3. Menuet04:26
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~3. Jongleurs01:17
Kleine Kammermusik Op. 24 No. 2
Le Tombeau de Couperin~4. Rigaudon03:14
III. Ruhig Und Einfach. Achtel
Trois Pièces brèves~3. Assez lent - Allegro scherzando02:51
Wind Quintet
Wind Quintet~2. Andante06:02
VI. Chasse à Valabre
II. Rubato Lamentoso
I. Prélude
I. Allegro Con Moto
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~2. Walzer. Durchweg sehr leise01:56
I. Allegro Giocoso

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Catalog Numbers

2564 63484-5

Labels

Warner Classics

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Formats

2 × CD

Credits

RoleCredit
BassoonGilbert Audin
ClarinetPaul Meyer
FluteEmmanuel Pahud
French HornRadovan Vlatković
OboeFrancois Leleux

Barcodes

Barcode: 8 25646 34845 9

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The album *French Music For Winds 20th Century Wind Quintets* by Les Vents Français is like a musical time capsule. It brings together a mix of lively and emotional pieces, all performed by some of Europe’s finest wind players. One standout track, "La Cheminée du Roi René," takes you on a journey through medieval-inspired melodies. Each movement feels like a different scene in a storybook—like the playful "Jongleurs" or the dreamy "Madrigal-Nocturne." And here’s the kicker: this album isn’t just about showing off technical skill—it’s about storytelling through sound. You can almost picture kings, jesters, and moonlit nights while listening. Pretty cool, right?