Rare Jongen Orchestral Works

JOSEPH JONGEN (1873-1953): Tableaux pittoresques, Op. 56, Pages intimes, Op. 55, Sarabande triste, Op. 58, Suite for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 48.

Description: All of these works were written between 1915 and 1919 when Jongen was living as a refugee in England. They are in his characteristic late Romantic style although at times the 26-minute suite of four Tableaux suggests the sound world of Debussy or Ravel. Only two tracks could be associated with the war - the Sarabande, austere and restrained, and the first movement of the suite "Poème élégique" which is both sadder and, oddly, warmer. The Pages (like the Sarabande orchestrations of piano originals) are bright and cheerful miniatures written for children. Nathan Braude (viola), Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège; Jean-Pierre Haeck.