“…This release came as a pleasant surprise – it introduced me to music by a fine composer, one who merits much greater attention than he receives.”

International Classical Music Award 2024 Nomination in the Assorted Programs category

“… That Bavouzet and Yan Pascal Tortelier had personal connections with Sancan is evident from the love they put into this album. Both give touching recollections in the notes and give fantastic performances along with Adam Walker and the BBC Philharmonic… a delight and quite a discovery.”

Sound: 10 – Libretto: 10 – Repertoire: 9 – Interpretation: 10

“…Jean-Efflam Bavouzet and Yan Pascal-Tortelier, who knew the artist, draw all the musical potential from this music, the facets and spirit of which they render very French through this elegance and lightness of tone...”

Editor’s Choice – Orchestral

“…If this musical tribute to Sancan doesn’t garner all sorts of awards, I shall be very surprised.”

“…The performances are clearly not only affectionately conceived but the playing is wonderful, all in Chandos’s usual outstanding recording quality.”

“…Throughout, you can hear influences from Stravinsky and Bartok, but if there is one thing to take away, it is that the album is an astonishing and wonderful disc of joyous music vivaciously and energetically performed.”

“…the 1957 Piano Concerto is the major work … The other works, including the exquisite Sonatine for Flute and Piano, also reveal what a deft craftsman he was.” ****

Recommended

“…Although Sancan does appear on quite a few discs across the catalogue this appears to be the only dedicated solely to his music.  But what a disc to be so dedicated – I cannot imagine a greater tribute performed with such skill and empathy… this has turned out to be one of my listening discoveries and highlights of the year to date.”

“…Superbe initiative”

“… The centrepiece is his [Sancan] high-octane Piano Concerto, given its premiere with Sancan as soloist in 1955. The work shows off the technical skills that one might expect from a pianist-composer and Bavouzet glitters in it …” ****

“…Pierre Sancan is virtually unknown even to the more adventurous music lovers, but his value as a teacher is matched by his inventiveness and accessibility as a composer, as these very winning pieces prove. The Commedia dell’arte overture, for instance, will win over the listener within the first few bars.”