Jean Pierre Rampal: La Flute Enchantée

Just when I thought I was running out of EMI Classical titles to buy, I discovered this 4CD set featuring Jean-Pierre Rampal for a great price used in the Marketplace. In the style of the "Introuvables" volumes or even  André Cluytens accompagnateur (as accompanist) , the French import "La Flute Enchantee" collects some of the flutist's many recordings for the label from 1952-64 in both mono and stereo, and in a variety of settings. These four discs cover nearly five hours of music, ranging from chamber works to concertos, from composers normally associated with this preeminent soloist to some that were quite surprising to this reviewer. CD1 features Bach Sonatas, while the second disc is all Telemann, the majority of which are concerti with the Sarre Chamber Orchestra led by Karl Ristenpart. On disc three, the selections turn towards the Romantic era, with works in sequence by Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann. The concluding disc was the most intriguing, and ultimately the most rewarding. Here Rampal tackles the music of 20th century France, and while the Debussy and Ravel works might be expected, the Roussel Serenade, and Honegger Concertino and works written for (and performed by) Fernand Oubradous' chamber ensemble, were shocking and awe-inspiring. Even at its regular list price, this is an amazing value -- it's time to become enchanted with "La Flute Enchantee!"