Fiona Maddocks 

Marie Jaëll: Symphonic and Piano Music CD review – a neglected Romantic composer

The 19th-century French composer is finally given a bit of love on this three-disc set
  
  

Virtuosic… Marie Jaëll.
Virtuosic… Marie Jaëll. Photograph: J Ganz

This set, which comes with a short book, introduces the French-born Marie Jaëll (1846-1925), now being rediscovered as a composer of late Romantic music. Given early support by Liszt, Jaëll faced many struggles as a female composer-pianist and ended her days a recluse and pedagogue. The kinds of terms used to describe her have included “barbaric”, ”headstrong”, “excessive” and “with a tendency towards mysticism”. These three discs sample her attractive, virtuosic concertos and piano works, performed by various artists. The Douze Valses et Finale for four hands are charming and quirky. The Ce qu’on entend series, progressing from hell to purgatory and paradise, for solo piano (David Bismuth), have far more individuality.

Watch a trailer for the CD and book.
 

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