Suite pastorale

An orchestral suite assembled by Chabrier between 1881 and 1888 by orchestrating four pieces from the Pièces pittoresques: Idylle, Danse villageoise, Sous-bois, and Scherzo-valse (in this order in the orchestral version). The Suite pastorale was performed and admired in Chabrier's lifetime and established the Pièces pittoresques as more than domestic piano music. For pianists, knowing which four pieces Chabrier chose to orchestrate indicates their particular importance to him, and hearing the orchestral versions can illuminate the coloristic ambitions embedded in the originals.

Hearing the orchestral Suite pastorale before playing the piano Pièces gives useful hints about touch and instrumental colour. Sous-bois has a flute-like top line over rustling strings — aim for transparency and a singing treble. Danse villageoise has a rustic, peasant character with prominent woodwind writing — keep it earthy and rhythmically direct. The Scherzo-valse features sparkling woodwind and pizzicato strings — articulate the outer voices with crispness and let the harmonic inner voices speak clearly. Idylle has a warmly singing string quality — cantabile throughout.