Gounod: Piano Works

Nineteenth-century French composer Charles Gounod, known chiefly for his Ave Maria and opera Faust, lived at a time when musical soirées in the Parisian salons of wealthy patrons were in fashion. Alongside composers such as Chabrier, Chausson, and Widor, Gounod wrote charming miniatures to delight these intimate gatherings, including a beautiful barcarolle and nocturne and the delightful Six Romances Sans Paroles (Le Soir is particularly lovely). But there is substantial fare here, too, including the original solo piano version of the Funeral March of a Marionette and nods to J.S. Bach in the form of superbly crafted preludes and fugues. Prosseda is a wonderful advocate for this music.