CÉCILE CHAMINADE (1857-1944): Callirhoé: Ballet Symphonique, Op. 37 (World Premiere Recording), Concertstück for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 40.

Description: Researched and edited by the conductor here, Callirhoé is a 62-minute ballet score from 1888 which has apparently never been heard apart from its sole performance until now. Before Impressionism, the score is in the French romantic balllet tradition and the scenario derives from an ancient Greek romance by Chariton: captive princess loved by her he-man captor etc. There’s a Storm, a Sacred Procession, an arresting Pas de Cymbales, one of the ever-popular genre of Pas Guerrier and even a dance that’s right out of The Nutcracker. Victor Sangiorgio (piano), BBC Concert Orchestra; Martin Yates.