Syrinx – CD

This new recording presents Liselotte Rokyta on panpipes and Elika Novotn on piano in music by Bla Bartk, Claude Debussy, Arthur Honegger, Andr Caplet, Olivier Messiaen, Ciprian Porumbescu and Edgard Varse. The programme includes Bartks Romanian Folk Dances, Debussys Clair de lune, Passepied, Rverie and Syrinx, Honeggers Danse de la chvre, Caplets Rverie and Petite valse, Messiaens Lange aux parfums and Subtilit des corps glorieux, Porumbescus Hora Prahova and Hora detrunchiailor, and Varses Density 21.5. Panpipes are among humanitys oldest musical instruments and are documented in many ancient cultures. Their perfected form is now especially associated with Romanian folk music, whose virtuosos made the instrument famous in the second half of the twentieth century. Liselotte Rokyta studied with four teachers from this celebrated tradition and also learned authentic panpipe playing from folk musicians during several journeys to Romania. This recording demonstrates that panpipes also have a rightful place in classical music. Bartks and Porumbescus works are arrangements of Romanian folk dances, while Debussys Syrinx, originally composed for transverse flute, finds an equally compelling version on the panpipes. The other arrangements draw on works by French composers of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, originally written for flute, piano or organ, offering the enchanting voice of the nymph Syrinx a place in the world of classical music.