"Along with the unabashedly charming and witty Humoresques and Trois pièces récréatives, this final CD contains two of Schmitt’s most salient masterpieces—Lied et scherzo and Une semaine du petit elfe Ferme–l’œil—providing an exhilarating conclusion to this ambitious set. As we approach the closing stages of this incredible journey, we look back with gratitude to those who have helped make this project a reality."

– Andrey Kasparov & Oksana Lutsyshyn

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Florent Schmitt was one of the most important of all French composers, an individualist who defies the simplicities of classification. The last of this four-disc series explores Schmitt’s Humoresques, Op. 43, a cycle full of unexpected and witty twists, as well as the visionary Lied et scherzo, Op. 54. His gift for characterisation is always evident, not least in Trois pièces récréatives, Op. 37  which is strongly spiced with humour. The set concludes with Une semaine du petit elfe Ferme–l’œil, Op. 58, one of Schmitt’s best–known masterworks.

Lied et scherzo, Op. 54 and Trois pièces récréatives, Op. 37, are world première recordings.

HUMORESQUES, OP. 43 (17:27)
1  I. Marche militaire (03:14)
2  II. Rondeau (01:18)
3  III. Bucolique (04:45)
4  IV. Scherzetto (02:28)
5  V. Valse sentimentale (03:20)
6  VI. Danse grotesqu (02:22)

7 LIED ET SCHERZO, OP. 54 (10:59) *

3 PIÈCES RÉCRÉATIVES, OP. 37 (04:26) *
8  I. Quadrille (01:33)
9  II. Gavotte (01:25)
10  III. Marche (01:28)

UNE SEMAINE DU PETIT ELFE FERME–L’ŒIL, OP. 58 (23:37)
11  I. La noce des souris (02:59)
12  II. Le cigogne lasse (04:18)
13  III. Le cheval de Ferme–l’oeil (01:43)
14  IV. Le mariage de la poupée Berthe (04:48)
15  V. La ronde des lettres boiteuse (01:23)
16  VI. La promenade à travers le tableau (04:38)
17  VII. Le parapluie chinoi (03:48)

TOTAL TIME: 56:29