PIERRE-CHARLES SANCAN (1916-2008): Ouverture joyeuse, Piano Concerto, Symphonie for String Orchestra, Commedia dell’arte (Overture), Sonatine for Flute and Piano, Solo Piano: Toccata, Caprice romantique for the Left Hand Alone, Boîte à musique, Mouvement.

Description: Sancan was a tremendously influential figure in French musical life, as a composer, pianist, teacher and conductor, but remains relatively unknown outside France. Born in Mazamet in 1916 - the same year as Dutilleux - he received his early musical training in Morocco and later Toulouse. He entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1934 where he studied with Jean Gallon, conducting with Charles Munch and Roger Désormière, piano with Yves Nat, and composition with Henri Busser. He won the Prix de Rome in 1943, and eventually joined the staff in 1956, teaching there until his retirement in 1985. A list of his piano students reads like a who’s who of French pianists and includes Michel Béroff, Jean-Bernard Pommier, Daniel Varsano, Jacques Rouvier, Jean-Philippe Collard and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. His teaching career limited his time for composition but what exists is in the best approachable style of the French 20th century. Detailed notes and two remembrances by the pianist and conductor on this disc. Walker (flute), Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (piano), BBC Philharmonic; Yan Pascal Tortelier.