French Avant-Garde in the 20th Century / Various

2014 two CD collection, a comprehensive overview of THE FRENCH AVANT-GARDE IN THE 20th CENTURY. Commencing with pioneers Claude Debussy and Erik Satie, this chronological double disc collection moves forward to absurdist and dreamlike Dada and Surrealist compositions (Duchamp, Picabia, Desnos, Ribemont-Dessaignes), as well as the more conventional work of Jean Cocteau's celebrated 'Group des Six', and onwards to postwar electronics and musique concrete by Schaeffer, Henry and Varese. Works by a number of modern composers (Messiaen, Boulez, Greif, Catoire, Hersant) are also featured, several of these being world premiere recordings by noted French pianist Nicolas Horvath. With a generous playing time of 140 minutes, this set contains an illustrated booklet with detailed historical notes.