MESSAGER: LES DEUX PIGEONS; DANTE SONATA (LISZT, ARR. LAMBERT) - ROYAL BALLET SINFONIA, BARRY WORDSWORTH

Royal Ballet Gems: Les Deux Pigeons / Dante Sonata

Royal Ballet Sinfonia
Barry Wordsworth

“Les deux pigeons, with its prettily romantic and engagingly French music was refashioned by John Lanchbery, in favour of Ashton’s eternal triangle. The pigeons remain, to add a nice sentimental touch to the romantic reconciliation of the lovers. Wordsworth’s performance is most elegantly turned, and very agreeable listening. Lambert’s masterly transcription of Liszt’s Dante Sonata is a tour de force of romantic hyperbole … as it swings between gloomy intensity and sweet celestial romanticism … played with great conviction and ardour. (Both) scores are played with finesse, colour and commitment. The recording is excellent. Recommended.” (Gramophone)

André Messager (1853-1929) arr Lanchbery:
Les Deux Pigeons (1886)

ACT 1

1. Introduction 4:28
2. Scène 2 – Entrée de Mikalia 1:40
3. Scène 3 – Entrée de Pepio 1:36
4. Pas de deux pigeons 3.48
5. Danse des jeunes filles 1:02
6. Allegro agitato 1:28
7. Scène 4 – Entrée des Bohémiens 3:04
8. Musique de scène 0:30
9. Thème (et Variations) 1:35
10. Variation 1 1:08
11. Variation 2 0:47
12. Variation finale 2:14
13. Musique de scène 4:56

ACT 2

14. Prélude 3:24
15. Valse 3:37
16. Divertissement 2:38
17. Gourouli seule 2:01
18. Variation de M.Vasques 0:53
19. Danse Bohémienne 3:48
20. Finale 3:31
21. Le Retour 13:48
Franz Liszt (arr Lambert):
22. Dante Sonata (Jonathan Higgins – piano) 15:55