Devienne: Six Trios, Op. 17 Mathieu Lussier

• François Devienne (1759–1803): Six Trios op. 17
• 1 I. Allegro 06:43
• 2 II. Rondo - Allegretto 02:50
• 3 I. Sicilienne 03:40
• 4 II. Allegro 04:21
• 5 I. Allegro 05:23
• 6 II. Rondo 03:06
• 7 I. Allegro 04:25
• 8 II. Andante avec des variations 06:27
• 9 I. Largo 02:15
• 10 II. Allegro 05:06
• 11 I. Allegro moderato 05:31
• 12 II. Menuet avec des variations 04:25
• Les Visitandines (1795) Opéra-comique
• 13 Air - O toi dont ma memoire 05:53
• 14 Air - Le ciel, mes soeurs, vous tienne en joie 01:39
• 15 Trio - Quoi! Vous voulez coucher dans la maison? 03:51
• Total Runtime 01:05:35

Info for Devienne: Six Trios, Op. 17

Bassoonist Mathieu Lussier’s latest recording concludes a series of three ATMA discs dedicated to the bassoon music of François Devienne. The six trios opus 17 included here are among the body of works by this important composer who contributed much to the repertoire for the bassoon. Devienne was a major figure in the Parisian musical world of the last 20 years of the 18th century and one of the founders of the Conservatoire de Paris.

„This series of Six Trios Op.17, for bassoon, violin and cello, has never been recorded before. So we owe a debt of gratitude to Montreal bassoonist and conductor Mathieu Lussier for bringing these delightful works to our attention. At all times Mathieu Lussier’s bassoon playing is flawless. His articulation is crisp, clear and dazzling in the fast passages and his tone is full and rich with a lyrical quality rarely heard on bassoon.

While this CD definitely highlights the bassoon, Pascale Giguère on violin and Benoît Loiselle on cello certainly don’t take a back seat here. There is an almost seamless transition between the performers as each takes centre stage with the melody. It’s a unified ensemble. Throughout, the strings make limited use of vibrato as befits the genre. With eyes closed, one is easily transported back to the household of Cardinal de Rohan or the Queen before the violence of the revolution.

In addition to the six trios, the CD contains transcriptions of three airs from Devienne’s opéra comique Les Visitandines. For these selections, the trio is augmented with a viola in the capable hands of Jean-Louis Blouin. These provide a pleasant contrast, yet remain in the spirit of the musical times when they were written and performed.

As one who has, in the past, struggled with the diabolical fingering system of the bassoon, I have two very mixed reactions. Is the virtuosity displayed by Mathieu Lussier a challenge? Do I get my bassoon out of its case and practice diligently as I once did, or do I advertise a bassoon for sale? In the meantime, I will enjoy this CD of delightful happy music performed by true virtuoso musicians.“ (Jack MacQuarrie, TheWholeNote)

'...An interesting recording which adds to the overall picture of Devienne’s development as a composer... there is a surprising range of mood - and Lussier’s warm and velvety tone is a delight. A CD for the bassoonist in your life.' (Maggie Bruce, Early Music Review)

Mathieu Lussier,
basson
Pascale Giguère,
violin
Benoît Loiselle,
cello
Jean-Louis Blouin,
viola (on track 13)

Recorded in March 2010, Église Saint-Augustin, Mirabel (Québec), Canada.

Mathieu Lussier
has energetically and passionately promoted the modern and baroque bassoon as solo instruments for nearly two decades throughout North America and Europe. He also devotes considerable time to chamber music as a member of ensemble Pentaèdre de Montréal. Since the summer of 2014, he has been Assistant professor at Université de Montréal. His numerous solo recordings include over a dozen bassoon concertos (Vivaldi, Mozart, Fasch, Graupner, Telemann, and Corrette), a CD of bassoon sonatas by Boismortier, three CDs of music for solo bassoon by François Devienne, and two CDs of wind music by Gossec and Méhul. Mathieu Lussier is also in demand as a guest conductor in Canada and abroad. Appointed by les Violons du Roy as Conductor- in-residence in 2012, and Associate Conductor in 2014, Lussier has led the orchestra in numerous programs both in Quebec, and on tour in greater Canada, the United States and Mexico, collaborating with artists such as Marc-André Hamelin, Alexandre Tharaud, Philippe Jarrousky, Jeremy Denk, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Anthony Marwood, and Karina Gauvin.

Booklet for Devienne: Six Trios, Op. 17