FLORENT SCHMITT (1870-1958): Le Petit Elfe Ferme-l'Œil, Op. 73, Introït, Récit et Congé for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 113.

Description: We've had the four-hand piano version of this ballet already, both in the 23-minute original version (10P049) and in a transcription of the longer 1923 orchestral version (09N039); now we get the actual 38-minute orchestral work. Although this is a tale of dreams brought to sleeping child and not one of the bloody or erotic scenarios one thinks of with Schmitt, the composer didn't stint, using the same massive orchestral forces (although often in writing of exquisite delicacy) in music which combines French Impressionism with romantic Russian ballet. The very late (1948) concertante work was written for André Navarra and Schmitt's opulent orchestration is still very much present in this 13-minute virtuosic piece with two dance-inspired outer sections framing a lyrical slow one. Henri Demarquette (cello), Orchestre National de Lorraine; Jacques Mercier.