John Lemmoné: The Flute Music
Lemmoné was Dame Nellie Melba’s accompanist and musical director. He wrote very much in the style of the day, with an eye to his audience and a willingness to provide flashy displays of technique—good taste, it appears, was never a burning issue.
This disc gathers thirteen of his character pieces for flute and piano, written in a late Romantic salon manner that favours brilliance, charm and light virtuosity.
Paul Curtis and David Miller recorded the programme at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music Concert Hall in November 1994 and February 1995.
Reviews
This recording has 13 of Lemmoné's 15 character pieces in the manner of Vieuxtemps and Sarasate, that use the flute as an instrument of high drama, humorous light virtuosity, elfin charms, and entertainment bordering on the "high camp". Paul Curtis and David Miller play this music wonderfully. Each little bon-bon is charming and, though quite sweet (candy is supposed to be) still interesting and full of substance. Listening to this disc always makes me smile. I can understand why a Sydney paper said in 1914 that "John is Australia's best-loved musician". The notes also give a charming picture of Australian musical life and Lemmoné's extraordinary character.
Artists
David Miller
David Miller partners flute and violin across Australian chamber music that ranges from Carl Vine's driving, open-air sonatas to Anne Boyd's modal Asian-inflected reveries, Raymond Hanson's post-Romantic rhetoric and John Lemmoné's flashy salon caprices.
John Lemmoné
John Lemmoné wrote late Romantic character pieces for flute and piano that favour brilliance, charm and light virtuosity, in a salon manner close to the violin showpieces of his day.
Tracks
- Graceful Dance (Caprice) John Lemmoné 3:18
- Fantasia on Scottish Melodies John Lemmoné 7:56
- Wind Amongst the Trees (Reverie Caprice) John Lemmoné 8:00
- Dainty Dance (Caprice) John Lemmoné 3:47
- Serenade John Lemmoné 4:59
- Valse de Concert John Lemmoné 7:48
- A Fantasy (Impromptu) John Lemmoné 5:18
- Danse Romantique John Lemmoné 3:52
- The Elves (Caprice) John Lemmoné 5:06
- La Danseuse (Valse Gracieuse) John Lemmoné 6:53
- Minuet (Caprice) John Lemmoné 5:30
- Fantasie Caprice John Lemmoné 7:02
- Aria John Lemmoné 3:50
Performers
- David Miller · piano
- Paul Curtis · flute
Contributors
Piano Technician
Ara Vartoukian
Piano Technician
David Kinney
David Kinney is the piano technician whose preparation underpins a wide stretch of Tall Poppies piano sound, from late Beethoven and Debussy to Janáček, Schubert and contemporary Australian repertoire. The instrument arrives ready for the music’s full colour and weight.
Liner Notes
Richard McIntyre
Where to listen
John Lemmoné: The Flute Music is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
John Lemmoné: The Flute Music is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- TP068
- Total playing time
- 73 minutes 19 seconds
- Producer
- Belinda Webster
- Recording Engineer
- Belinda Webster
- Venue
- Newcastle Conservatorium of Music Concert Hall
- Credit
- Ara Vartoukian
David Kinney
Richard McIntyre - Release date
- 28 Sep 1995
- Label
- Tall Poppies
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1995 Tall Poppies Records
- Category
- Australian Classics
- Genre
- Romantic & Impressionist
- Barcode
- EAN 9399000006824
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