Album

Sir Eugene Goossens is most remembered for his energetic conducting career and his entrepreneurial skills, arranging concerts of new music and famously introducing Stravinsky's Le Sacre du printemps to English audiences; but virtually all of his own music has faded into obscurity. Hearing this 2004 Chandos release helps explain that misfortune, if the five chamber works presented here are indicative of the rest of his neglected oeuvre. One might easily mistake the Sketches (4) for flute, violin and piano for a work by an ingenious French Impressionist, or find the Impressions (5) for flute, cello and piano and the Suite for flute, violin and harp overly lush and insipidly pretty, even for prewar fare. On the other hand, Goossens provides some spicier harmonies and greater melodic interest in his Pictures (3) for flute and piano, and a good deal of tonal ambiguity in his Pastorale et Arlequinade for flute, oboe and piano; these marginally adventurous pieces make the disc somewhat more tolerable for modern ears. Flutist Susan Milan turns in fluid performances of appealing tone, though her high range is a little thin and less pleasant than her lowest octave; and the London Chamber Music Group is engaging in its largely supportive role. Chandos offers its usual fine recording quality.

© Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

CD 1
Sir Eugene Goossens Composer Sketches (4), for flute, violin & piano, Op.5 Work 15:02 Jan Peter Schmolck Violin, Susan Milan Flute, Ian Brown Piano
1	Book I. I. Legend. Andante ma non troppo - Più mosso - Tempo I	4:50			$0.99
2	Book I. Serenade. Giocoso	3:09			$0.99
3	Book II. III. Romance. Andantino e molto espressivo - Con anima - Più mosso - Meno mosso - Poco men	4:28			$0.99
4	Book II. IV. Humoreske. Allegro (ma non troppo) - Lento - Tempo I (Allegro)	2:35			$0.99
Sir Eugene Goossens Composer Pictures (3) version for flute & piano Work 18:27 Susan Milan Flute, Ian Brown Piano
5	1.From the Belfry of Bruges (For my friend, Ary van Leeuwen). Moderato con moto - Più tranquillo -	5:20			$0.99
6	2.From Bredon in the Cotswolds. Andante con moto - Poco allargando - Tempo I	4:42			$0.99
7	3.From a Balcony in Montparnasse. Moderato - Quasi cadenza, con fantasia - Con moto - Tempo I -	8:25			$1.49
Sir Eugene Goossens Composer Impressions (5) of a Holiday for flute (or violin), cello & piano, Op.7 Work 15:53 London Chamber Music Group Ensemble
8	1.In the Hills (Parmi les collines). Moderato - Poco animato - Tempo I	3:02			$0.99
9	2.By the Rivers (Le Long des rivières). Tranquillo	2:45			$0.99
10	3.The Water Wheel (Le Petit Moulin à eau). Con moto e leggiero	2:14			$0.99
11	4.The Village Church (L'Église du village). Andante con moto	5:40			$0.99
12	5.At the Fair (À la vogue). Scherzando	2:12			$0.99
Sir Eugene Goossens Composer Suite, Op 6 Work 10:30 London Chamber Music Group Ensemble
13	a. Impromptu. Moderato e espressivo - Più mosso - Poco animato - Tempo I - Più lento - Adagio	3:45			$0.99
14	b. Serenade. Andante grazioso	3:03			$0.99
15	c. Divertissement. Allegro giocoso - Poco meno - Poco animato - Tempo I	3:42			$0.99
Sir Eugene Goossens Composer Pastorale et Arlequinade, for flute, oboe & piano, Op.41 Work 7:48 London Chamber Music Group Ensemble
16	1.Pastorale. Andante con moto - Più mosso - Ancora più mosso - Tempo I	4:47			$0.99
17	2.Arlequinade. Allegro - Sempre con moto	3:01			$0.99