Pastorales de Noël

Pastorales de Noël is a trio composition for flute, bassoon and harp written by André Jolivet in 1943.[1] It is cast in four movements and lasts about 12 minutes.[2]

It has been described as an "unusual and very lovely Christmas piece".[3]

Overview

The work, for the most part gentle and evocative, establishes a mood of antiquity.[1] The four scenes are vividly characterized and the instruments are used to great effect.[3]

The opening movement L'Étoile (The Star) begins with a mysterious duet for flute and bassoon[4][5] and features sparkling harp arpeggios.[3] In Les Mages, the bassoon and the flute echo the Magi's efforts during their journey, with a melody that displays a characteristic augmented interval (E-flat to F-sharp).[3][5] The goal of their pilgrimage is the subject of the next movement, La Vierge et l'enfant. It is extremely simple, based entirely on the C natural-minor scale. The harmony consists only of three chords: Cm, Fm and Gm[5] and calls to mind a peaceful lullaby.[4] The final movement Entrée et danse des bergers (Entrance and Dance of the Shepherds) is more rhythmically complex and changes meter several times.[1] It ends unexpectedly on an E major chord with added sixth.[5]

Movements
  1. L'Étoile
  2. Les Mages
  3. La Vierge et L'Enfant
  4. Entrée et Danse des Bergers[2]

Selected Discography
  • Castagner, Faisandier, Laskine, 2005, Recorded in 1956, Accord 2CD 4767783.
  • Trio Nordmann, 1972, Erato STU-70-706.
  • The Britten-Pears Ensemble, 1995, ASV CD DCA-918.
  • Wiesler-Davidsson-Goodman, 1996, Bis Records CD 739.
  • Ensemble Arpeggio, 2004, ASV QS 6252.

References
  1. Allmusic.com Work Description, Joseph Stevenson
  2. IRCAM data sheet
  3. Musicweb-international.com CD Review, 20th Century French Works for Bassoon, Gwyn Parry-Jones.
  4. Chicago Chamber Musicians, Program notes by Dr. Richard E. Rodda, October 2007. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 2, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Chamber Concerts by members of the New York Philharmonic, Program Notes by Gregory Karl.
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