En Suite Audrey Abela

• François Couperin (1668 - 1733): Le Tic-Toc-Choc, ou Les Maillotins:
• 1 Couperin: Le Tic-Toc-Choc, ou Les Maillotins: 18e ordre, en fa mineur, Troisième livre de pièces de clavecin 02:43
• Les Barricades Mystérieuses:
• 2 Couperin: Les Barricades Mystérieuses: 6e ordre, en si bémol majeur, Second livre de pièces de clavecin 01:55
• Le Dodo, ou l'Amour au berceau:
• 3 Couperin: Le Dodo, ou l'Amour au berceau: 15e ordre, en la majeur, Troisième livre de pièces de clavecin 04:20
• Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683 - 1764): Le Rappel des Oiseaux:
• 4 Rameau: Le Rappel des Oiseaux: Deuxième Livre de pièces de clavecin 03:04
• Les Sauvages:
• 5 Rameau: Les Sauvages: Troisième Recueil - Nouvelles Suites de pièces pour clavecin 02:02
• Le Niais de Sologne:
• 6 Rameau: Le Niais de Sologne: Deuxième livre de pièces de clavecin, Suite en ré majeur 05:30
• Claude Debussy (1862 - 1918): Suite Bergamasque:
• 7 Debussy: Suite Bergamasque: I. Prélude 04:30
• 8 Debussy: Suite Bergamasque: II. Menuet 04:10
• 9 Debussy: Suite Bergamasque: III. Clair de lune 04:45
• 10 Debussy: Suite Bergamasque: IV. Passepied 03:50
• Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937): Le Tombeau de Couperin:
• 11 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin: I. Prélude. Vif 03:08
• 12 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin: II. Fugue. Allegro moderato 03:28
• 13 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin: III. Forlane. Allegretto 05:56
• 14 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin: IV.. Rigaudon. Assez vif 03:27
• 15 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin: V. Menuet. Allegro moderato 05:09
• 16 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin: VI. Toccata. Vif 04:42
• Total Runtime 01:02:39

Info for En Suite

Audrey Abela is a truly exceptional pianist who specialises in the repertoire of her native France. 'En Suite' is Audrey Abela's beautifully poised, nuanced tribute to the French suite, from its origins in the Baroque masterpieces of Couperin and Rameau, to the sensitive 20th-century tributes of Debussy and Ravel.

French pianist Audrey Abela now lives in New York, but with this album she seeks to celebrate her origins and in particular her affinity with the French pianists of the golden age, such as Alfred Cortot and Marguerite Long, who said that "French piano playing is lucid, precise, and slender. Even though it may often prioritise grace over strength, it always keeps a rightful sense of balance and proportion, and it does not give in to any other playing style in terms of power, profundity, and inner emotion." These are Abela's guiding principles in her stunning interpretations on this album.

The programme aims to encapsulate French art in all its elegance and refinement. Every work presented is characterised by transparent, clear, articulated, pearly textures. While the Ravel and Debussy suites combine the nostalgia and exotic colours of the 20th century, the Couperin and Rameau pieces are full of 18th-century wit and vivacity.

We hear three characterful pieces from Couperin's Ordres, as well as Rameau's rhythmical 'Les Sauvages' and his Italianate, satirical 'Les Niais de Sologne'. Debussy's 'Suite Bergamasque' is irresistibly beautiful, especially the famous 'Clair de lune', and Ravel's quietly moving 'Tombeau de Couperin' paid tribute not only to Couperin, but to his fallen friends killed in the First World War. The rich 'Toccata' was composed by Ravel in memory of Captain Joseph de Marliave, musicologist and late husband of Marguerite Long, who gave the first performances of 'Le Tombeau de Couperin' in 1919, bringing the inspiration behind this album full circle.

Audrey Abela, piano

Audrey Abela
Praised for her sensitive and individual interpretations, French pianist Audrey Abela has performed extensively in the United States, South America and Europe in major venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Symphony Space, Steinway Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, Salle Gaveau, Salle Cortot, Salle Pleyel and the Royal Dublin Society. Passionate about chamber music, she has appeared at Concerts at One at Wall Street Trinity Church, International Beethoven Project in Chicago, Musique au Coeur de Baronnies and Festival Jeunes Talents in France.

After the completion of her musical studies in France, first with Olivier Cazal, then at the Conservatoire de Boulogne-Billancourt with Hortense Cartier-Bresson, Audrey Abela moved to New York to study at the Manhattan School of Music from which she now holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. There, she worked with Nina Svetlanova, a pupil of the legendary Heinrich Neuhaus, and Marc Silverman. Subsequently, she was offered a five-year tuition fellowship to complete her Doctor of Musical Arts degree with Ursula Oppens and Thomas Sauer at CUNY Graduate Center. She is currently in the process of completing her dissertation, a study on French pianism. In addition, she had the privilege to work with and be influenced by artists such as Menahem Pressler, Paul Badura-Skoda, Robert McDonald, John O’Connor, André Laplante, Evelyne Crochet and David Dubal, among others.

She was a prizewinner in the 2013 Metropolitan international Piano Competition - New York. She has also taken part in many piano festivals including Piano Texas, Pianofest in the Hamptons, International Keyboard Institute and Festival, Banff Piano Masterclasses, and Gijon International Piano Festival. Over the years, she has been the recipient of several awards and grants, including the Artur Balsam Endowed Scholarship.

Audrey has extensive experience teaching students of all levels and ages. Above all, she enjoys sharing her love and passion for music with others. She has been described as a dedicated, caring, kind, stimulating, and thorough teacher. A believer in the universal and beneficial powers of music, she often bonds with her student in a deeply meaningful way. Audrey founded Opus One Music in the hope of connecting talented artist-teachers with aspiring musicians and curious listeners. Her goal is to create a friendly, stimulating, and thriving musical community that promotes creativity and excellence.

This album contains no booklet.