d’après La Révolte des Anges d’Anatole France

d’après La Révolte des Angesd’Anatole France

Les Chants de Nectaire

Nicola Woodward – flute

Charles Koechlin

Nectaire raised the flute to his lips. Wielded by dextrous fingers and filled with the breath of creation, the rustic pipe resonated like a silver flute. T he music told of Love, Fear, vain Quarrels, triumphant Laughter, the serene clarity of Intelligence and the arrows that pierce the monsters of Ignorance and Hatred. T he music also spoke of Joy and Pain bending their twin heads over the Earth and of the Desire that creates worlds…

Translated from ‘ La Révolte des Anges ‘ by Anatole France

The Chants de Nectaire were inspired by the wise old flute

player Nectaire, who appears in ‘La Révolte des Anges’ by

Anatole France (1914). The ninety-six songs, all gems in

their own right, are grouped into three books and were

composed over four months in 1945. Despite the speed

of creation, the quality is incredible, with great attention

to detail. Each piece is its own unique sound world,

imaginative, sensitive, beautiful and, above all, sincere.

Charles Koechlin (1867 – 1950) studied at the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, but tuberculosis prevented him from following the military career that was expected of him. Fortunately he turned to music, studying composition with Fauré and Massenet at the Paris Conservatoire. He worked incredibly quickly when inspired, and his

output of 219 opus numbers covers all genres: from the vast orchestral work, ‘Le Livre de la Jungle’, inspired

by Kipling; to choral, chamber and solo works. He loved the flute and seemed to understand the subtleties as if he played himself.

According to Koechlin, his personality was dominated by characteristics from his Alsatian roots; there is an energy, naivety and an absolute sincerity at the heart of all his music. I see him as a fascinating and eccentric genius with a twinkle in his eye: inquisitive, fiercely intelligent and obsessive. He was passionate about the sciences, astronomy, literature, film and film stars, in particular Lilian Harvey and Ginger Rogers, all of which inspired his musical creativity. Recognition of his genius has grown since his death and as an orchestral ‘magician’, he is now seen as on a par with Debussy and Ravel.

Nicola Woodward

Charles Koechlin, 1948 - Photo R. Paul, St-Étienne - Famille KOECHLIN

Charles Koechlin Les Chants de Nectaire First Series (Op. 198) 32 pieces, d’après La Révolte des Anges I Préambule 4:35 Preamble II Naissance de la vie 3:00 Birth of life III Jeux de la lumière 2:41 Play of light IV Clartés de l’Esprit 2:55 Clarity of Mind V Jeunesse du monde 1:43 Youth of the world VI Les tranquilles clartés de l’Intelligence 1:35 The tranquil clarity of Intelligence VII ...criblent de flèches l’Erreur et la Bêtise 1:08 ....riddled with arrows of Error and Stupidity VIII Le Rire vainqueur 1:05 Victorious laughter IX Gaîté de la lumière 1:27 Gaiety of light X Les Vaines querelles ( « à quoi bon ? » ) 1:54 Vain quarrels - what’s the point? XI La Tendresse 2:20 Tenderness XII La Plainte humaine 2:03 The lament of mankind XIII La Nuit 2:29 Night XIV Souffles du Printemps sur la mer 1:30 Breaths of Spring on the sea XV Lumière – modération – équilibre 2:25 Light - moderation - equilibrium XVI L’Amour 1:59 Love

XVII La Pitié 2:01 Pity XVIII Pour les âmes souffrantes 2:29 For suffering souls XIX Le Jardin des Muses 1:27 The Garden of the Muses XX Les Vrilles de la Vigne 1:21 The Tendrils of the Vine XXI Les Heures douces 2:05 Sweet times XXII La crainte 2:31 Fear XXIII Idylle 0:53 Idyll XXIV Clair de lune sur la mer 2:46 Moonlight on the sea XXV L’Elan vers la vie 0:41 The Momentum of life XXVI «Le Désir qui créé les Mondes» 2:55 The Desire which creates Worlds XXVII L’Effort de l’Homme 3:00 Human Effort XXVIII Le Vaincu médite 1:51 Meditation of the Defeated XXIX Le Soir 2:20 Evening XXX Le Calme du Sage 2:51 Calm of the Sage XXXI Gaîté du matin ensoleillé 1:04 Gaiety of a sunny morning XXXII Méditation sur la douleur humaine 6:18 Meditation on human sorrow Total time 1:11:24

Nicola Woodward was awarded exhibition scholarships on both flute and piano at the Royal College of Music. She also won the Eve Kisch flute prize and several prizes for all-round musicianship. She has performed at the Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Rooms, given live broadcasts

on Classic FM and BBC Radio 3, worked with the LPO and Bournemouth Orchestras and toured Latin America for the British Council. As part of a flute and marimba duo, she toured extensively with ‘Live Music Now!’ and is now involved with the scheme as a mentor. She frequently performed at Highgrove and Buckingham Palace for HRH the Prince of Wales and has made several recordings of rare and folk-influenced works. Nicola has a deep love of folk music from many cultures, which she regularly performs. She is co-founder of the Rockhampton Festival. www.nicolawoodward.uk