Chausson; Tailleferre - French Impressions (Rachel Barton Pine; Orion Weiss; Pacifica Quartet)

Information

Composer: Ernest Chausson; Germaine Tailleferre

• Chausson - Concerto for Violin, Piano & String Quartet in D Major, Op. 21
• Tailleferre - Violin Sonata No. 2
• Tailleferre - Pastorale in C Major (Version for Violin & Piano)
• Tailleferre - String Quartet
• Tailleferre - Berceuse for Violin & Piano in E Major

Rachel Barton Pine, violin

Orion Weiss, piano

Pacifica Quartet

    Simin Ganatra, violin

    Austin Hartman, violin

    Mark Holloway, viola

    Brandon Vamos, cello

Date: 2025

Label: Cedille Records

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French Impressions: Chamber Music by Chausson & Tailleferre brings together violinist Rachel Barton Pine, pianist Orion Weiss, and the Grammy-winning Pacifica Quartet to spotlight underappreciated French chamber music. The centerpiece is Chausson’s Concert, Op. 21, a late 19th-century sextet that blends solo violin, string quartet, and piano in a rich, orchestral texture. The album also features works by Germaine Tailleferre, the only female member of Les Six, including her Violin Sonata No. 2, Pastorale, Berceuse, and String Quartet. These pieces highlight Tailleferre’s lyrical, playful, and harmonically bold style, shaped by influences like Ravel and her Paris Conservatoire training.

American violinist Rachel Barton Pine (b. 1974) has performed as a soloist with major orchestras worldwide, including those of Chicago, Vienna, Montreal, and Philadelphia, under renowned conductors like Zubin Mehta and Charles Dutoit. She has collaborated with artists such as Daniel Barenboim and Mark O’Connor and appeared at top festivals like Ravinia and Salzburg. Her extensive discography includes acclaimed recordings on Cedille and Dorian, featuring works by Brahms, Joachim, Beethoven, and Clement. A laureate of top competitions including the Bach and Queen Elisabeth, Pine is also an active philanthropist and educator. She performs on a 1742 Guarnerius del Gesù violin, the “ex-Soldat.”

Orion Weiss (b. 1981) is a highly acclaimed American pianist known for both his solo and chamber music performances. He has appeared with major North American orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, and New York Philharmonic, and has performed at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide. Renowned for his chamber music collaborations, Weiss frequently performs with violinists Augustin Hadelich and James Ehnes, among others. His recordings span several respected labels, including Naxos and Bridge. Honors include the Gilmore Young Artist Award, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Classical Recording Foundation’s Young Artist of the Year. He studied with Emanuel Ax at Juilliard.

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