Dionne Jackson’s Love Letter
By Ralph Graves
Parisian Inspirations is the kind of recital recording I like — one where the artist has a personal connection with every work.
In the liner notes Dionne Jackson writes, “I feel a direct lineage to every composer chosen for this CD, many of my Professors at the Conservatoire had either known or studied with these composers or their pupils and proteges.”
That personal connection makes every work on Jackon’s CD worthy of attention — even the oft-recorded pieces. Dionne Jackson’s rich warm tone is ideally suited to the French repertoire that she studied so intimately. Even in the extreme upper register, the notes are well-rounded and beautiful.
Standard flute works such as Debussy’s Syrinx and Poulenc’s Sonata for flute and piano sound fresh in these performances. Even conservatory test pieces, such as Taffanel’s Andante Pastoral et Scherzettino and Gaubert’s Nocturne et Allegro Scherzando seem to come alive rather than sound like technical challenges.
Some recital discs are ideal for aspiring artists to study and learn from. Dionne Jackson’s “Parisian Inspirations” is beyond that — this is inspired music-making everyone can appreciate and enjoy.
Dionne Jackson, flute; Marija Stroke, piano
Flute music by Dutilleux, Taffanel, Gaubert, Bozza, Roussel, Ferroud, Debussy, Poulenc
Bridge Records 9482
