Description
The works of Helene de Montgeroult played in her castle lounge two centuries later, by pianist Benedict Harle.
The forgotten composer of the 18th century now relives thanks to a CD recorded in the very living room where she lived and played, at the castle of Montgeroult. By an extraordinary chance, nothing has changed in the castle lounge. And not around either. « We can enjoy the exceptional acoustics of this room », points the pianist Benedict Harle. « There are large windows with a bucolic view as there could be in the 18th century. At the’back we see a large alley of lime trees dating from the 17th, it is very inspiring. » To stick even closer to the spirit of the era, it’s on a period piano-forte, dating from 1800, played by the musician, on the occasion of the’ CD recording. It remains only to let oneself be carried and to discover the work of this amazing woman who never ceases to surprise the savvy musicians who listen to her. « It is what makes its mystery, notes Thierry Vorgers. Some of her studies are really in their time, classic of their time, and sometimes with other pieces we think rather of Chopin or Mendelssohn. This is not normal at all because this type of work was composed thirty or forty years later! »
Benedict Harle confides herself her surprise when she began to play Helene de Montgeroult. « I have performed three of her truly magnificent sonatas, which in their sound expression contain the beginnings of romanticism. The tones suggest what will happen in the first quarter of the 19th century. » The composer is also the writer of a « Complete course for the teaching of fortepiano », monumental work including 114 studies that made date at the time before falling completely into disuse. Modulation Pub. are intended to resurrect her work.
