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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Artist:Les Vents Français Album: French Music For Winds 20th century Wind Quintets
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~3. Allegro grazioso
02:28
IV. La Maousinglade
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~5. Sehr lebhaft
03:03
I. Ouverture
IV. Presto Ruvido
III. Allegro Grazioso
V. Sehr Lebhaft
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~6. Chasse à Valabre
01:45
I. Allegro
Sonatine For Oboe And Bassoon
Trois Pièces Brèves
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~7. Madrigal-Nocturne
02:45
II. Récitatif
Wind Quintet~3. Vivace
07:56
II. Fugue
II. Aubade
III. Menuet
III. Ostinato
Summer Music, Op. 31
11:43
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 giocoso
02:19
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~1. Lustig. Mäßig schnelle Viertel
03:03
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~1. Cortège
02:01
Le Tombeau de Couperin~2. Fugue
03:59
I. Lustig. Mäbig Schnelle Viertel
6 Bagatelles For Wind Quintet
III. Vivace
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~3. Ruhig und einfach. Achtel
04:28
II. Andante - Allegretto - Tempo I
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~4. Schnelle Viertel
00:48
IV. Schnelle Viertel
Sonatina for oboe, clarinet and bassoon~2. Andante - Allegretto - Tempo 1
03:22
Le Tombeau de Couperin~1. Prélude
03:13
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 spirito
01:15
Summer Music Op. 31
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~4. Presto ruvido
01:04
La Cheminée Du Roi René - Suite Op. 205
Sonatina For Oboe, Clarinet And Bassoon
Trois Pièces brèves~1. Allegro
02:21
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~5. Joutes sur l'Arc
00:56
IV. Rigaudon
Trois Pièces brèves~2. Andante
01:42
Sonatine for oboe and bassoon~3. Ostinato
03:09
Sonatine for oboe and bassoon~2. Récitatif
02:56
Wind Quintet~1. Allegro con moto
09:42
I. Allegro Con Spirito
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~4, La Maousinglade
02:31
Sonatina for oboe, clarinet and bassoon~3. Grave - Allegrissimo
03:22
6 Bagatelles for wind quintet (arr. from Musica ricerata)~2. Rubato lamentoso
03:26
V. Adagio Mesto
II. Andante
III. Jongleurs
V. Joutes Sur L'arc
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~2. Aubade
01:58
I. Cortège
VI. Molto Vivace
VII. Madrigal-Nocturne
Humoreske (Rondo)
04:22
Sonatine for oboe and bassoon~1. Ouverture
02:07
Humoreske
II. Walzer. Durchweg, Sehr Leise
Le Tombeau de Couperin~3. Menuet
04:26
La Cheminée du roi René, Suite, Op. 205~3. Jongleurs
01:17
Kleine Kammermusik Op. 24 No. 2
Le Tombeau de Couperin~4. Rigaudon
03:14
III. Ruhig Und Einfach. Achtel
Trois Pièces brèves~3. Assez lent - Allegro scherzando
02:51
Wind Quintet
Wind Quintet~2. Andante
06:02
VI. Chasse à Valabre
II. Rubato Lamentoso
I. Prélude
I. Allegro Con Moto
Kleine Kammermusik, Op. 24 No. 2~2. Walzer. Durchweg sehr leise
01:56
I. Allegro Giocoso
Images
Catalog Numbers
2564 63484-5
Labels
Warner Classics
Listen online
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Formats
2 × CD
Credits
Role
Credit
Bassoon
Gilbert Audin
Clarinet
Paul Meyer
Flute
Emmanuel Pahud
French Horn
Radovan Vlatković
Oboe
Francois 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?
