Simon Corinna - L'album Des Six

Facts In the 1920s, in the aftermath of Debussy's death and in the shadow of Ravel, they became the darlings of Parisian musical life. They appeared as a group of departure, united to redirect French musical life: "Groupe des Six" - or "Les Six" - was the name of this association of six French composers of the early 20th century, united to the to redirect French musical life: Arthur Honegger (1892-1955), Georges Auric (1899-1983), Louis Durey (1888-1979), Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983), Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) and Darius Milhaud (1892-1974). "What I find so fascinating about this music is how much it is inspired by a new way of life and in doing so sets something new against the current rules of composition," explains pianist Corinna Simon. The music should be uncomplicated, abstract or satirical as well, and humor shines through again and again in different forms - certainly because 'Les Six' is inspired by other arts left. " Thus, in this recording, the new aesthetic approach that unites the composers of the "Six" resounds: The album begins with the "L'Album des Six", a 1920 edition, which is the only time that each member of the group with a Piece was represented. General characteristics of this collection are brevity and scarcity. "Miniatures without superfluous flourishes," says Corinna Simon, "in which each composer remains recognizable with his own personality, such as Auric in a strong rhythmic imprint or Tailleferre with their distinctive timbres." The five of the members of this group reappear in the further course of the recording: Arthur Honegger with his "Sept piéces brèves", Darius Milhaud with his triptych "Le Printemps, Op.25", Francis Poulenc with "Improvisation in A minor" , "Mélancolie" and "Novelette No. 3 in E Minor" and Georges Auric with his "Trois Pastorales". The "Impromptu", "Partita", "Rêverie" and "Romance" by the only female composer of the "Six", Germaine Tailleferre, complete the album. The "Groupe des Six" was a unique phenomenon in the Parisian music scene of the early 20th centur