d'Indy: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1

A German Composer in France?

     

Or perhaps a Russian? Of course, this guy was writing at the tail end of the Romantic Era, so maybe that's why it doesn't sound so... French? Somehow, the lightness and gaiety normally associated with French composers is absent here. Instead, you have the earthy, solid harmonies of more eastern composers. d'Indy is reminiscent of Strauss and Scriabin, not Fauré and certainly not Debussy. This is music that runs much deeper than the painted surface, so it ought to be played with a seriousness that matches the richness of the texture. There is something to be said for Nordic musicians. The Lahti Symphony, for one, is turning out one incomparable recording after another. Here the Iceland Symphony under Rumon Gamba gives further proof to that conclusion. Beautiful playing to match beautiful compositions. If you, like me, are a fan of late nineteenth century romanticism as embodied by Mahler, Strauss and Scriabin, check out d'Indy. If you're already in the know about this lesser known French composer, give this recording a listen.