"What a sheer joy it is to witness the release of CD 2. Along with Schmitt’s poignant and spirited Reflets d’Allemagne, it introduces for the first time on disc his Sur cinq notes and Huit courtes pièces. The entire melodic content of the latter two works is based on a mere five–note set, with the composer exhibiting his trademark wittiness, variety and brilliant invention."– Andrey Kasparov & Oksana Lutsyshyn

Listen to ‘Ronde’ from Sur cinq notes:

One of the most original and influential French composers of his time, Florent Schmitt’s music shimmers with luxuriant melodies, good humor and a fearless harmonic vocabulary. This second of four volumes is filled with innovation and stylistic bravura, from the remarkable variety to be found On Five notes, to the balletic poetry of Reflets d’Allemagne.

Florent Schmitt’s piano music is rarely recorded, standing as he does at the fringe of an easier to categorize group of French musical contemporaries. Schmitt’s piano duos and duets are probably second only to Schubert in terms of sheer quantity and yet beyond a few works they are hardly known on disc. This new four volume set of recordings seeks to redress this lack, and volume 2 explores the innovative five–note framework conjured from the self–imposed limitations of Sur cinq notes as well as a fun and sophisticated way to learn style in Eight Pieces to Prepare the Student for Modern Music. The waltzes of Reflets d’Allemagne reflect Schmitt’s travels, also becoming more widely known as music for ballet. Performed by the multiple award winning Invencia Piano Duo, Schmitt’s warm melodic gift, sensual but subtly stated harmonies and rhythmic inventiveness make these works a significant and enjoyable addition to our experience of one of the most vibrant and exciting periods in French music.

SUR CINQ NOTES, OP. 34 * (16:14)
1  I. Ronde (01:08)
2  II. Barcarolle (02:41)
3  III. Mazurka (01:51)
4  IV. Bercement (02:41)
5  V. Danse pyrénéenne (00:59)
6  VI. Mélodie (03:24)
7  VII. Pastorale (02:17)
8  VIII. Farandole (01:13)

REFLETS D’ALLEMAGNE, OP. 28 (23:40)
9  I. Heidelberg (02:43)
10  II. Coblentz (03:09)
11  III. Lübeck (03:15)
12  IV. Werder (02:45)
13  V. Vienne (03:04)
14  VI. Dresde (02:10)
15  VII. Nuremberg (03:11)
16  VIII. Munich (03:23)

8 COURTES PIÈCES, OP. 41 * (19:13)
17  No. 1. Ouverture (02:36)
18  No. 2. Menuet (02:14)
19  No. 3. Chanson (02:45)
20  No. 4. Sérénade (01:56)
21  No. 5. Virelai (01:11)
22  No. 6. Boléro (03:18)
23  No. 7. Complainte (03:16)
24  No. 8. Cortège (01:57)

TOTAL TIME: 59:07

Watch The Invencia Piano Duo play:
Sur cinq notes, Op. 34, Nos. 1, 3, 8