Stefan Irmer has a special fondness for French piano music. After his complete overview of the sins of Rossini’s old age and a recently released recording of Gabriel Fauré’s thirteen nocturnes, he now turns to another chock-full complete recording featuring rather unknown compositions from the piano oeuvre of Jules Massenet.

Massenet became one of the most important French composers for the stage, but during his studies at the Paris Conservatory he received a first prize in piano and was a recipient of the Prix de Rome, whereupon, in 1864, Liszt introduced him to a female pupil who would later become his wife.

Stefan Irmer knows just how and when to draw on the Steinway concert grand piano’s tonal shadings. His virtuosity of natural effect is never mere show. Just listen to how he renders the nuanced colour, form and motion of butterfly wings in Papillons noirs and Papillons blancs (1907)!