Francaix, Divertimento mvts 4+5 / 2020 Brisbane Music Festival, Highlights
Jonathan Henderson / Flute
Alex Raineri / Piano
Live performance from the 2020 Brisbane Music Festival 'Streamed Series'.
Jai Farrell / Audio Engineer & Videographer
Relatively unknown to audiences today, Jean Françaix composed in a neoclassical style and was notably prolific for his contribution the wind-instrument repertoire. His music is imbued with a refreshingly vibrant sense of quirky chromaticism and slightly off-kilter charm. The 'Divertimento' is no exception. In five short movements, a non-stop stream of notes burst forth from the flute with the piano framing with an often jazzy accompaniment. Despite its general tendency to embrace a light and playful discourse, the slower movements have moments of stunning profundity.