D'Indy & Magnard: Piano Sonata & Promenades

Sofia Andreoli (piano)

Vincent d'Indy (1851-1931), a prominent French composer, wrote his only Piano Sonata in 1907. This rich and substantial sonata shows d'Indy's meticulous craftsmanship and innovative harmonic language. The work unfolds with a sense of architectural integrity, marked by its four movements, each possessing distinctive character and emotion. Rooted in late-Romantic language, the sonata bears traces of his fascination with folk music and modal scales. The first movement, marked by its assertive motifs, leads into a lyrical and introspective second movement. The third movement introduces rhythmic vitality and dance-like elements, while the final movement builds to a triumphant conclusion. D'Indy's harmonic complexity, coupled with a mastery of form, renders the Sonata a significant contribution to the piano repertoire. It stands as a testament to d'Indy's artistic value, blending tradition with innovation.

Alberic Magnard (1865-1914) was a pupil of Massenet, Dubois and, above all, Vincent d'Indy himself, to whom he was deeply attached throughout his life. His seven Promenades op. 7, composed in 1893 as a kind of intimate diary describing 6 French towns, are evocative and charming character pieces, with hints of Franck and Debussy. Sofia Andreoli is a young Italian pianist with a passion for discovering neglected composers. As a student of Mattia Ometto, she builds a busy solo career, as well as playing chamber music in different formations.

Vincent d'Indy (1851-1931)