French composer Clémence de Grandval (1828–1907), born Marie Félicie Clémence de Reiset and known as Vicomtesse de Grandval and Marie Grandval, studied composition with Friedrich Flotow, composer and family friend, and later with Frédéric Chopin and Camille Saint-Saëns, the latter dedicating his Oratorio de Noel to her. A prolific composer, Grandval’s output includes a mass, 50 songs with piano accompaniment, several orchestral works and oratorios, nine operas, and many chamber pieces. Her penchant for song and opera is evident in the Grand Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano, where each musician enjoys the opportunity to play long singing lines and indulge in a bel canto style of rubato and expression.
Oboist Andrew Parker, bassoonist Kristin Wolfe Jensen, and pianist Colette Valentine present a lively performance of the trio, new to the WFMT library, on this EP from Navona Records.