Le petit elfe Ferme-l'il Une semaine dansée op.73 (1912/1923-24) [arr De'Ath] KB
La tragédie de Salomé op.50 (1907/1910-11) JM
Reflets d'Allemagne: Huit valses op.28 (1906)*
J'entends dans le lointain op.64 no.1 (1917/1929)
étude pour le Palais hanté d'Edgar Poe op.49 (1900-04/1909)
Trois rapsodies op.53 (1903-04)*

World Premiere Recordings in these versions, except*

Leslie De'Ath (piano)
Anya Alexeyev (piano)
KB Kimberly Barber (mezzo soprano)
JM James Mason (oboe)

Recorded at Maureen Forrester Recital Hall, Faculty of Music, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada,
17 December 2010, 22 February 2011 & 9 May 2011

The long-lived French composer Florent Schmitt (1870-1958) created many of his most impressive and influential works in the first two decades of the twentieth century, equally gorgeous in their piano versions (four hands or two pianos) as for the orchestra. Pianists Leslie De'Ath and Anya Alexeyev have recorded a ripe selection for this 2-CD set, all but two of which are world premiere recordings in these versions. Here the decadent sound world of La tragédie de Salomé, influential on Stravinsky and Diaghilev, is the most familiar but the charm and colour of the ballet music Le petit elfe Ferme-l'oeil' (The Little Fairy Sleepy-eyes'), a touching evocation of childhood, has a charm all its own. These and various other pieces complete a most enjoyable traversal of Schmitt's piano music, presented here in immaculate, heartfelt performances.

2 CD SET - CDLX 7273

The demands on the pianists are significant; and we are treated to an impeccable performance by De'Ath and Alexeyev, ably joined by Barber and Mason in their specific sections.

The recorded sound and booklet essay are both first class. If you have the sense of adventure, you will find more than two hours of interesting new works here.

Harrington, American Record Guide, January/February 2012