Day 361
Rita Strohl: Symphonie de la Forêt
Orchestra National D’Ile-de-France
Case Scaglione
This was a fabulous piece. Rita Strohl lived from 1865-1941 and was well connected with many of the key French musicians of her time. Like many of the female composers I have covered in this blog she had some early success but rather faded from view towards the latter part of her life. This four movement symphony from 1901 is a substantial work lasting well over 30 mins. It is a really good example of turn of the century French music of the type we have seen before in this blog from composers such as as Debussy, Dukas, Chausson , Charpentier and others. It stands comparison with the best of them. It it full of colour, brilliant orchestration, melodic invention and typically French harmony. It has sardonic wit and elegance. In fact it seems to have everything needed to be a repertory piece: had it been written by Debussy it would I think be a part of the standard orchestral programme.There have been some really remarkable music by women composers in this project but this one stands out as being extra special.
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