French Romance (2001)

Piano duo Anthony & Joseph Paratore's fine Four Winds disc French Romance is the kind of package that's getting harder and harder to sell, which is a shame, as it is a quality product. Know-it-all classical music types might take one look at it and snort, "Why would I buy something like this?," whereas non-expert audiences might take exception to just one word out of the title -- "French." Just because one is not in sympathy with the typically Gallic spin on world events does not mean the great music that this nation has ... Read More

Piano duo Anthony & Joseph Paratore's fine Four Winds disc French Romance is the kind of package that's getting harder and harder to sell, which is a shame, as it is a quality product. Know-it-all classical music types might take one look at it and snort, "Why would I buy something like this?," whereas non-expert audiences might take exception to just one word out of the title -- "French." Just because one is not in sympathy with the typically Gallic spin on world events does not mean the great music that this nation has produced cannot be enjoyed. Forthwith, eggheads should note that this disc features a luscious four-hand piano arrangement of Debussy's L'après-midi d'un faune that is a rather rare item on recordings; our crystal ball says that it has been recorded only once before. The other works, by Ravel, Milhaud, and Poulenc, are more familiar, but are expertly played by the Paratores and recorded in a warm, but not too soupy ambience. French Romance is the sort of thing that would make a nice... Read Less