CD Review: Bloomer Deussen - originally published in the Journal of the IAWM Volume 8, No. 3, 2002

"Myths & Legends"
Works by Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Claude Debussy and Albert Roussel. Key Note Designs. CD103

Nancy Bloomer Deussen's (b. 1931) composition The Pegasus Suite for flute and piano is a highly accessible work. The CD liner notes indicate that Deussen is a composer of contemporary music who favours the return to tonal and melodic writing. The Pegasus Suite lives up to the composer's ideals and would be a welcome addition to concert programs and teaching studios. The accessibility of this music might help counter the generalization sometimes encountered that contemporary music is difficult to understand.

The Pegasus Suite, premiered March, 1998 was written for flutist Angela Koreyelos and pianist Zöe Smith. It is based on Greek mythology and through the medium of sound seeks to tell the life story of Pegasus, the flying horse. The Suite is in five short movements, The Birth of Pegasus; The Flight to Olympus; The Spring of the Muses; The Journey of the Muses and Ascendance to the Stars. Although there are contrasting tempos and moods among the movements there is an overall unified approach to the writing. The piano part while exploring the full range of the keyboard functions primarily as an accompaniment. In each of the movements the flute part remains lyrical with occasional embellishments of the melodic line. The balance between the performers and the recording quality is very good.

Albert Rousel's (1869-1937) Jouers de Flûte for flute and piano is in four movements. Each movement is inspired by a flutist from Greek legend or myth and the flute writing leans towards the virtuosic.

Also included on the CD is Bilitis, written by Claude Debussy (1862-1918) which makes reference to pastoral ancient Greece. The original version was scored for 2 flutes, 2 harps and celesta, however the recorded version is an arrangement by Donald Peck scored for flute, piano and narrator. The liner notes include an English translation of the twelve French poems from the cycle, Chanson de Bilitis, written by Pierre Louÿs. The combination of narrated poetry (Leslie Loizelet) with music was very effective and the text was always clearly articulated. Debussy's Syrinx (1913) for solo flute was a welcome addition to this recording and in keeping with the ancient Greek theme.

This CD as a whole was refreshing to listen to because of the variety and accessibility of the music. It is always a pleasure to hear less well known works whether they are written by living composers or those of the past.