Theodore Dubois: A Romantic Voice Rediscovered
Théodore Dubois was a major force in French music at the turn of the 20th Century. He had won the Prix de Rome in 1864, establishing his reputation as a composer. He was organist at several major churches in Paris. And eventually Dubois became director of the Paris Conservatoire.
Dubois' ambition was to write opera. Most of them were either unperformed, or had very short runs. In the meantime, he amassed an impressive body of work in other genres.
This release features several chamber works by Dubois. They show a composer with a gift for melody and a talent for organizing his material.
The Piano Quintet in F major is a good example. Traditional piano quintets are comprised of a piano plus a string quartet. Dubois substitutes an oboe for one of the violins. This creates a wider timbre palette that Dubois exploits.
The album's other major composition is the 1909 String Quartet No. 1. Dubois writes idiomatically for the strings. The work flows effortlessly along as an animated conversation between four friends.
Contemporaries judged Dubois to be a skilled composer, if not an especially original one. That might be a little unfair. His musical language is that of the late Romantic period.
It doesn't upend harmonies like Debussy. But neither does it sound like an inferior imitation of someone else.
Dubois's crime seems to be just that he colored within the lines. But the colors he chose elevate his music above the ordinary.
The works on this release feature some unusual instrumental combinations. Unusual but effective combinations.
The assembled musicians deliver nuanced, committed performances. They help make the case that this music needs to be heard.
If you enjoy the music of French masters such as Massenet and Saint-Saens, give Dubois a listen. It's music worth exploring.
Théodore Dubois: Chamber Music
Lajos Lencsés, oboe; Carole Dubois, piano; Antal Váradi, organ; Renie Yamahata, harp; Quatuor Parisii; Budapest Strings
Toccata Classics No: TOCC0362
