LDV91

21 JEAN-PHILIPPE COLLARD The charming, graceful theme of this very first Barcarolle makes an instant impression. Yes, but when you play it, you should avoid dwelling too much on that aspect, but rather tend towards reserve, give the impression that the music is flowing naturally. That’s why it’s so difficult to grasp. Barcarolle no.5 is an extraordinary piece. In my view, it’s the masterpiece of the whole set, the perfect conjunction between the early works and the later ascetic, austere barcarolles. The sombre, spellbinding Barcarolle no.9 stands out as another peak, particularly on account of its highly sophisticated harmonies. What power, too! But you have to be careful not to turn it into a dirge, as the key of A minor and the wrong tempo can lead you in that direction. What view do you take of this music that you’ve lived with for so long? Some things surprised me enormously when I came back to it, like the modulations, the superimposition of themes. I went through the score with a fine-tooth comb, read the annotated editions. But I also had to get rid of all that ballast at some point, otherwise it’s a never-ending quest.