Jean Cras (1879 - 1932)

Roasted Swan · May 23, 2024, 11:31:49 PM

As an aside - what happened to Timpani as a label and their catalogue? So many fine recordings or interesting/rare music usually well played and recorded. Its a shame another company have not been able to licence these......

kyjo · May 29, 2024, 12:51:23 PM

Quote from: Roasted Swan on May 23, 2024, 11:31:49 PMAs an aside - what happened to Timpani as a label and their catalogue? So many fine recordings or interesting/rare music usually well played and recorded. Its a shame another company have not been able to licence these......

Unfortunately, Timpani seems to be defunct.

According to Wikipedia, "In 2018, the label slipped into insolvency, and their website went up for sale." A real shame, and I agree that they performed an invaluable service for neglected French and Belgian music. I'm sure many of their recordings are out of print by now, but fortunately the majority of them are available on Spotify.

KevinP · June 05, 2024, 04:37:44 AM

I'm not big on non-physical music releases, but when the discs are OOP but the music is available as downloads, I'll go for it. Signed up for Presto Music and got three volumes to start with: Timpani's orchestral works; flute, harp and trio; and orchestral songs sets.

KevinP · July 23, 2024, 07:23:17 PM

Barring any future discoveries, have all his works been recorded?

I have two more Timpani releases to go to complete my collection (the non-orchestral songs and the family volume) and will likely buy at least some of the other labels' releases.

Mandryka · February 25, 2025, 12:36:13 AM

Quote from: ritter on February 24, 2025, 11:54:30 AMIndeed, a substantial and very accomplished song cycle, with an excellent choice of poems by three great authors (Louis Aragon x2, Jules Supervielle, and Paul Éluard). Quite fantastic! Thanks for bringing it to our attention, Mandryka! Despite the different sources of text, and the diversity of tone between the songs, a very coherent work, in its reflection of desperate (i.e. beaten and defeated) France in 1943.

On the same label I just found another magnificent cycle from Jean Cras - the 5 Roubayats, singer is Lionele Peintre and pianist is AlIn Jacquon.

ritter · February 25, 2025, 01:22:34 AM

Quote from: Mandryka on February 25, 2025, 12:36:13 AMOn the same label I just found another magnificent cycle from Jean Cras - the 5 Roubayats, singer is Lionele Peintre and pianist is AlIn Jacquon.

I might have that disc at home (will check this evening), but I've never been very impressed by Cras' music (perhaps it's time to revisit it).

Mandryka · February 25, 2025, 01:29:16 AM

Quote from: ritter on February 25, 2025, 01:22:34 AMI might have that disc at home (will check this evening), but I've never been very impressed by Cras' music (perhaps it's time to revisit it).

It's not at the same level as the Auric, I agree. Or indeed the Ropartz I mentioned. But I think it's worth a listen for sure.

Symphonic Addict · March 02, 2026, 07:44:55 PM

Enjoying revisiting the Piano Concerto via the Timpani recording (coupled with the extraordinarily magical Légende for cello and orchestra) with fresh ears. How luminous and enriching in its outer movements, the music simply oozes good vibes featuring jocular and even some knightly passages here and there, tinged with a distinctive French air. Intensely beautiful. If those movements were splendid, the middle one stole the show. The mysterious and nocturnal atmosphere it encapsulates is second to none, one that includes those exotic insinuations he was so good at and some contrasting tense moments, giving as a result an awe-inspiring gem of a movement. Truly a delectable piece in my view. This sort of rediscoveries hits me so good.

Mandryka · March 02, 2026, 11:51:52 PM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on March 02, 2026, 07:44:55 PMEnjoying revisiting the Piano Concerto via the Timpani recording (coupled with the extraordinarily magical Légende for cello and orchestra) with fresh ears. How luminous and enriching in its outer movements, the music simply oozes good vibes featuring jocular and even some knightly passages here and there, tinged with a distinctive French air. Intensely beautiful. If those movements were splendid, the middle one stole the show. The mysterious and nocturnal atmosphere it encapsulates is second to none, one that includes those exotic insinuations he was so good at and some contrasting tense moments, giving as a result an awe-inspiring gem of a movement. Truly a delectable piece in my view. This sort of rediscoveries hits me so good.

The last Cras I really enjoyed was the string quartet

kyjo · March 03, 2026, 09:37:55 AM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on March 02, 2026, 07:44:55 PMEnjoying revisiting the Piano Concerto via the Timpani recording (coupled with the extraordinarily magical Légende for cello and orchestra) with fresh ears. How luminous and enriching in its outer movements, the music simply oozes good vibes featuring jocular and even some knightly passages here and there, tinged with a distinctive French air. Intensely beautiful. If those movements were splendid, the middle one stole the show. The mysterious and nocturnal atmosphere it encapsulates is second to none, one that includes those exotic insinuations he was so good at and some contrasting tense moments, giving as a result an awe-inspiring gem of a movement. Truly a delectable piece in my view. This sort of rediscoveries hits me so good.

Absolutely, the Piano Concerto is such a magical work. I particularly love the endearing, pastoral tune in 5/8 meter that appears in the finale - it reminds me of the lovely melody in the same meter that features in the trio section of the scherzo of Braga Santos' 4th Symphony. The only work by Cras I've heard that I didn't care for that much has been his early and uncharacteristic Cello Sonata. A recent discovery of mine has been this wonderful Timpani disc of his orchestral songs:

These are some of the most intoxicatingly beautiful orchestral songs I know alongside Ravel's Sheherazade and Martinu's Magic Nights and Nipponari.

Symphonic Addict · March 03, 2026, 03:08:48 PM

Quote from: Mandryka on March 02, 2026, 11:51:52 PMThe last Cras I really enjoyed was the string quartet

You were impressed with good reason, that is an outstanding piece indeed, showing a more serious and rigurous side of the composer. I was bewitched by his Piano Quintet relatively recently too. So lovely and idyllic, but probably not for your taste.

Symphonic Addict · March 03, 2026, 03:11:48 PM

Quote from: kyjo on March 03, 2026, 09:37:55 AMAbsolutely, the Piano Concerto is such a magical work. I particularly love the endearing, pastoral tune in 5/8 meter that appears in the finale - it reminds me of the lovely melody in the same meter that features in the trio section of the scherzo of Braga Santos' 4th Symphony. The only work by Cras I've heard that I didn't care for that much has been his early and uncharacteristic Cello Sonata. A recent discovery of mine has been this wonderful Timpani disc of his orchestral songs:

These are some of the most intoxicatingly beautiful orchestral songs I know alongside Ravel's Sheherazade and Martinu's Magic Nights and Nipponari.

The Piano Concerto has several good moments indeed, albeit I didn't mention them properly.

There are many pieces by him I don't know yet, including his works for voices and orchestra/piano. Thanks for the heads up, Kyle.

Symphonic Addict · March 23, 2026, 12:05:02 PM

Available on 19 June:

Roasted Swan · March 24, 2026, 09:11:51 AM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on March 23, 2026, 12:05:02 PMAvailable on 19 June:

Oooh that's interesting - their previous disc of Hungarian repertoire was sensational....

Symphonic Addict · March 24, 2026, 03:39:49 PM

Quote from: Roasted Swan on March 24, 2026, 09:11:51 AMOooh that's interesting - their previous disc of Hungarian repertoire was sensational....

The String Trio by Leó Weiner was the best piece of that CD IIRC. It's incredible how such a good work is virtually unknown nowadays.

Mirror Image · March 24, 2026, 05:01:57 PM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on March 24, 2026, 03:39:49 PMThe String Trio by Leó Weiner was the best piece of that CD IIRC. It's incredible how such a good work is virtually unknown nowadays.

I don't own this recording, but I like the Dohnányi Serenade a lot. Fantastic piece. I haven't heard the Leó Weiner, but it sounds like it's right up my alley.

Symphonic Addict · March 24, 2026, 05:08:37 PM

Quote from: Mirror Image on March 24, 2026, 05:01:57 PMI don't own this recording, but I like the Dohnányi Serenade a lot. Fantastic piece. I haven't heard the Leó Weiner, but it sounds like it's right up my alley.

Dohnányi's chamber works represent the treasure trove of his output I think, amongst them that fabulous trio (I do rank his two numbered symphonies and the Variations on a nursery song very high too, though).

Mirror Image · March 24, 2026, 05:12:25 PM

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on March 24, 2026, 05:08:37 PMDohnányi's chamber works represent the treasure trove of his output I think, amongst them that fabulous trio (I do rank his two numbered symphonies very high too, though).

I think so, too. One of my favorite orchestral works of his is actually a concerto: Konzertstück for cello/orchestra. But to be fair, I haven't really got into much of his orchestral works. I do recall rather enjoying his Symphonic Minutes, but haven't got around to his symphonies yet as the chamber and solo piano works have been keeping me occupied.