Fantasie Pastorale, Op. 37 (Bozza)
Movements
Notes
Born to an Italian father and French mother, the reputation of Eugène Bozza (composer, conductor and professor at the École de musique à Valenciennes) rests largely on his significant contribution to wind chamber music. This substantial body of work demonstrates a melodic fluency, structural elegance and a sensitivity for instrumental capabilities. His single movement Fantaisie Pastorale from 1939 is dedicated to the principal oboist of the Opéra de Paris, Louis Bleuzet, and is a work that fully exploits the instrument’s potential. It begins with an improvisatory cadenza before making way for a lyrical Moderato section which bears some kinship to Debussy. A sparkling closing passage provides the soloist ample opportunity to showcase their virtuosity.
