Jacques Chailley (1910-1999) : Symphonie n°1 (1945) **MUST HEAR**

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Jacques Chailley (1910-1999) (France) Symphonie n°1 en sol mineur (1945) **MUST HEAR** Dir : Jean Fournet Orchestra National de l'ORTF 1- Allegro ritmico (6.02) 2- Andantino (9.27) 3- Scherzo (3.57) 4- Finale (10.01) Begun in Amsterdam in 1936 where Jacques Chailley studied to become a conductor under the great Willem Mengelberg, his « String Quartet » earned him a position with the well-known composers. If he did not belong to the groupe « Jeune France » formed at time by André Jolivet, Olivier Messiaen, Daniel-Lesur and Yves Baudrier, he was nevertheless close enough to have his works represented in concerts given by this famous association of artists. His « Symphony No.1 » was the first great work written upon his return from the 1939 campaign as an escaped prisoner with a military medal and the military cross. This symphony was born during the dark times of the Occupation, when, together with the Director Claude Delincourt, he took on the dangerous task of defending the Academy students against the terats of both compulsory work gangs and deportation. Written between 1942 et 1945, his « Symphony No.1 » is a pure work of music which stands for itself even though certain critics declared that one could perceive within, an echo of the tragic events that this periode brings back to mind. The composer does not exclude this possibility, but maintains that if this is so, it was not done consciously. The first movement, the Allegro ritmico, aims primarily at asserting itself though the unity of the movement. This continue without any digression in a tighter construction from two themes of opposite nature, but of unchanging tempo. André Jolivet, who particulary appreciated this movement, admitted to the composer that he had been influenced by it at the time of writing his first symphony in 1953. The melodius Andante forms by contrast a peaceful element being of a classical conception and of a purposefully clear language for which the composer apologizes to those possibly offended. The light Scherzo is built upon an unique theme with certain ironic elements in the trio of the coda. It includes an adagio of a restrained lyricism, characteristic of Jacques Chailley's harmonic style during this period. The peroraison, dedicated to the percussion section and with the rhythm of the theme developing with a whistle solo, was met with a rapturous welcome, following the first performance in Toulouse (France). The Finale which freely combines the forms sonata and rondo opposes a popular theme « à 7 temps », used successively as a refrain and as a developing element, to a lyrical theme which opens out on a choral in the peroraison following the suggestions kindly given by Monsieur Croche, well-know for his views against amateurism. The first performance was partly given in Algers (Algeria) in 1947. This was then followed by a complete performance at the Théâtre du Capitole on March 4th, in 1948, conducted by Gaston Poulet. Presented in Paris on February 27th, 1949 at the concerts Pasdeloup and conducted by the composer, there followed the nex day the exceptional honour of an invitation for a second audition. This took place the following year on February 26th. It has since been interpreted in many countries, particulary in Belgium and Rumania. It was after having listened to it, that José Bruyr approached Jacques Chailly to ask if he would write the score of his opera « Thyl de Flandre » which completed in 1953, was performed at the Monnaie de Bruxelles. In a three column article in the journal « Arts », the critic Raymond Charpentier wrote that Jacques Chailley, through this work, had henceworth « fully become a part of the aristocrat family of the symphonists ». Further, in the journal « Images musicales », J. M. Grénier thus concluded his review : « Such a new works written and thought out with a rare quality, will allow the public to regain the thrill of the first performances ». Would the times have changed ? » UNFORTUNATELY, NO. Major works : Les Perses, incidental music (1936) ; Jeanne devant Reims, for Choir and Orchestra (1941) ; Pan and the Syrinx, opera (1946) ; Thyl de Flandre, opera (1949-54) ; Le Jeu de Robin et Marion, opera (1950) ; La Dame à la licorne, ballet (1953) ; Le Cimetière marin, for Choir and orchestra (1980) ; Symphony No. 2 (1984) ; Triptych, for organ (1984-87) ; Eloge de la sagesse, oratorio (1992). LIST OF UPLOADS OF COLLECTIONCB, COLLECTIONCB2 and COLLECTIONCB3 and IDEAL "DISCOTHEQUE" OF MORE THAN 1,300 ORCHESTRAL WORKS OF FEELINGS : http://www.corentinboissier.net/