The new Romeo and Juliet
Kate Molleson follows Tailleferre's activities in America during the 1920s. As her professional horizons widen, a chance meeting leads to a whirlwind proposal of marriage.
Kate Molleson follows Tailleferre activities in America in the 1920s. As her professional horizons widen, a chance meeting leads to a whirlwind proposal of marriage.
Germaine Tailleferre first made a splash in the heady atmosphere of 1920s Paris. She was part of a lively, bohemian scene in which poetry and exhibitions went hand in hand with performances of new music. Her career was given a bump start by the eccentric older composer, Eric Satie. He was an influential voice in avant-garde circles, and his support opened a door to wider recognition. Tailleferre became part of a like-minded set of young composers, along with Francis Poulenc, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud, Louis Durey and Georges Auric. Their energy and drive created exciting new outlets for performances of their music. It was a journalist, Henri Collet, who coined their eventual collective name "Les Six". While their artistic paths quickly diversified, the group remained friends for the rest of their lives.
Tailleferre was a prolific composer, writing in all the genres from small scale chamber works to large scale works including cantatas, orchestral scores, ballets and operas. After enjoying considerable success, by the 1930s her prominence began to fade. There's some evidence to suggest that her two unhappy marriages, and the deprivations of living in occupied France, followed by a temporary exile in the States during the Second World War, all had an adverse impact on her career. Despite these setbacks, she continued to compose and would teach music almost to the very end of her life. She died in 1983 at the age of 91.
Held back perhaps by her own retiring personality and historical views of a female composer, Tailleferre's music has been overshadowed by some of the other members of "Les Six". This week Kate Molleson brings Germaine Tailleferre's music firmly in to the limelight. She's joined in studio by two other Tailleferre enthusiasts, Barbara Kelly from the University of Leeds, and Caroline Potter, who's currently writing a book about Tailleferre.
Tailleferre was introduced to the illustrator Ralph Barton at a swanky party. The attraction between them was instantaneous, but all too soon a heartbreaking tragedy was to follow.
Violin sonata no 1 (excerpt)
I : ModΓ©rΓ© sans lenteur
Malin Broman, violin
Simon Crawford-Phillips, piano
Fandango
Nicolas Horvath, piano
La nouvelle Cythère (excerpts)
Nocturne
Pavane
Galop
Clinton-Narboni Duo
Harp Concertino
I. Allegretto
II: Lento
III: Rondo
Gabriella DallβOlio, harp
Foundation Philharmonic Orchestra
David Snell, conductor
Chansons Françaises
No 3 : Mon mari mβa diffamΓ©e (Anon. XV.)
No 4 : Vrai Dieu, qui mβy confortera? (Anon. XV.)
Ruby Hughes, soprano
Anna Tilbrook, piano
Violin sonata no 1
I: ModΓ©rΓ© sans lenteur
IV: Final: très vite
Malin Broman, violin
Simon Crawford-Phillips, piano
Producer: Johannah Smith
Last on
Music Played
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Germaine Tailleferre
Fandango
Performer: Nicolas Horvath.- GRAND PIANO : GP891.
- GRAND PIANO.
- 6.
-
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Germaine Tailleferre
La nouvelle Cythère (excerpts)
Performer: Clinton-Narboni Duo.- ELAN : ELAN-82278.
- ELAN.
- 16.
-
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Germaine Tailleferre
Harp Concertino
Performer: Gabriella Dall'Olio. Performer: David Snell. Orchestra: Foundation Philharmonic Orchestra.- ASV : CD1126.
- ASV.
- 2.
-
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Germaine Tailleferre
Chansons Francaises (Nos 3 & 4)
Performer: Anna Tilbrook. Singer: Ruby Hughes. -
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Germaine Tailleferre
Violin Sonata No 1 (1st & 4th mvts)
Performer: Malin Broman. Performer: Simon CrawfordβPhillips.- dB PRODUCTION : dBCD199.
- dB PRODUCTION.
- 1.
Broadcasts
- Wed 26 Jul 2023 12:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
- Wed 21 Aug 2024 16:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
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