Florent Schmitt: Sonate libre en deux parties enchaînées

[minacciosa]

Some of you may be interested in the French composer Florent Schmitt. IMHO he is one their giants, an independent composer who belongs in the company of Debussy, Ravel, and Messiaen. Recently I was interviewed by Phillip Nones of the Florent Schmitt blog about the composers epic violin sonata, Sonate libre en deux parties enchaînées (ad modem clementis aqua). Included within the interview is a link to one of my performances of that work.

The site boasts a number of other very interesting posts featuring a wealth of historical information that explores some interesting aspects of Schmitt. Here's a shortened url pointing to the post at florentschmitt.com.
http://wp.me/p2IVcX-Fn

JMW

[jdperdrix]

There is a subtlety in the title that can be missed.
In 1913, statesman and journalist Georges Clemenceau founded a journal called "L'Homme Libre" (The Free Man). It strongly criticized the Socialists' anti-militarism. When WW1 broke out, his journal was suspended by the government's censorship. He then founded a new journal, with the title "L'Homme Enchaîné" (The Chained Man), still criticizing the govenment for its lack of efficiency. He was appointed Prime Minister in 1917.

Beautiful performance of yours, by the way!

[eschiss1]

All I know of the work myself is that I've heard of a recording or two from Fanfare magazine reviews some while back (intriguingly, I recall), but not yet heard it. Will endeavor to do something about that, especially if the performance in question is on your YouTube channel or linked to from the article, e.g. ...
The origin of the title is interesting, but doesn't the pairing (man is free, but everywhere he is in chains- I am sure I have that wrong, besides having it translated...) go back to Rousseau? (Except for the Clementis, which would refer to Clemenceau. Ah, got it!)

[jdperdrix]

You sure got the decisive point noticing the pun "ad modem Clementis aqua" approximately meaning "à la manière de Clémence eau"!

[minacciosa]

Philip Nones does indeed write about the title's references. The piece is as multilayered as are the meanings and implications of its title.

[jdperdrix]

Philip Nones does indeed write about the title's references. The piece is as multilayered as are the meanings and implications of its title.

Could you give me a reference for this? I didn't find it in your interview.

[minacciosa]

There is an earlier article by Nones about the Sonate libre at the site. You'll find discussion of the title's double meanings within that post.

Thanks for your kind comments about the performance.