You would think that an entire hour of music for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon would inevitably become monotonous, and it’s true that playing this disc from start to finish could engender some degree of ear fatigue. Yet, taken individually, these are delightful and attractive pieces. The close proximity of the dates of composition–all within the 1920s and ’30s–and the fact that the composers involved were all French (except Villa-Lobos, though he was working in Paris at the time) explains the similar sound of much of the music. Ibert’s Cinq Pièces, Milhaud’s Pastorale and Suite d’Après Corrette, and Tomasi’s Concert Champètre all follow Baroque models and maintain a joyfully Gallic atmosphere, so much so that it’s not easy to tell them apart without the track listing. Poulenc’s Sonata instantly breaks the mood with its Stravinskian bitonality, while Villa-Lobos’ Trio completely dispenses with all the powder and perfume and explores some interesting and decidedly un-delicate instrumental timbres, seemingly imitating the sounds of the Amazonian jungle! This work presents formidable challenges, which the London Wind Trio handles with astonishing skill and musicianship, just as it expertly enlivens the other pieces in this handsome and desirable collection. Somm’s realistic recording places you right in front of the performers.
