Link Between Grovlez And Chopin

Radio Record, 6 May 1938, Page 21

Link Between Grovlez And Chopin

MAN OF COURAGE DESTROYED EARLY WORK

‘THERE is a link between Gabriel _ Grovlez, the modern French composer, and Chopin. His mother, a talented amateur, was of Polish descent, and his maternal grandmother, also a brilliant pianist, had been a pupil of Chopin in her youth. From his mother, Grovlez received his first lessons on the piano, and there seems never to have been a time when he could not make music, as he improvised little tunes almost before he could speak. Grovlez was trained in Paris, became a brilliant pianist, later a conductor, and ultimately a hard-working teacher and capable composer. The stage has naturally claimed a share of his own composition, but he has given us purely orchestral and chamber music as well, But his pieces for pianoforte-his own original instrument-are naturally admirably laid out to display its best qualities, We are told that during the activities of directing and conducting ballet he composed regularly. This activity is characteristic of a man of progress who had courage to destroy a great mass of his early work. One of Grovlez’s best-known come positions for piano is "L’Almanach aux Images," a suite of eight pieces in-

spired by the poems of Tristan Klingsor. They are beautiful examples of clean-cut writing and delicate-imagery. The quaint humour of "Les Marionettes" dancing the minuet and reel, or exchanging tender glances; the wiste ful "Berceuse de la Poupee,"’ featuring the remote effect of consecutive fifths, and the folk-song element in its fragmentary stilted melody; "Les Anes" (The Donkeys), galloping joyously and braying in unison; the stately "sarabande," its classic formal line ornamented by trills and turns written as part of the design; "Chanson de VEscarpolette’ (Song of the Seee Saw), a Viennese waltz; "Le Pastour," an exquisite pastoral trifle representing a woodland cascade; "Petites Litaines de Jesus" (Little Prayers to Jesus), movingly fervent in its appeal; "Chanson du Chasseur" (Song of the Huntsman), very rhythmical and jolly-all eight pieces are perfect in characterisation. This work is the creation of a man of high culture and charming persone ality, who is interested in life and art generally. His knowledge of literature, philosophy and languages is vast, and with it all he maintains his love of simple things-children, birds, flowers. The charming "L’Almanach aux Images," by Gabriel Grovlez, will be played at 3YA om Sunday, May 8, by Ernest Jenner, pianist.