Jean Roger-Ducasse is one of the many French composers whose music has been overshadowed by the historical proximity of Debussy and Ravel.

Performed here by French pianist, Patrick Hemmerl who is based in Cambridge, Patrick devotes part of his time to composers who have remained relatively unknown and regularly includes in his concert programmes the works of Novak,

Frank Martin, Maurice Emmanuel and many others. The passing of time allows for a more reasoned and just evaluation of Roger-Ducasse’s music, both sensual and cerebral, where sensibility is in disguise, and hides behind an extreme refinement and complexity.

The wonderful acoustic of the Temple St. Marcel, in Paris, together with the magnificent Bechstein used for this recording both contribute to create a spellbinding sound world. A CD warmly recommended to every lover of French music looking for new discoveries.