Cécile Louise Stéphanie Chaminade (Aug. 8, 1857 - April 13, 1944) was a French pianist and composer. Her first teacher was her mother, and she also took violin and composition lessons; sadly her father disapproved. Despite her father's disapproval, Chaminade was composing at a young age, and at eight years old she played some of her music for George Bizet, who was very impressed with Chaminade's. Her first concert was ten years later, and most of her compositions, which were mainly for piano, were published. She toured all around France, and Isidor Phillipp, head of the piano department at the Paris Conservatory, was a strong proponent of her works. Chaminade was also very popular in America; her work was often found in the music collections of song and piano music enthusiasts.

One of Chaminade's many piano works is Tristesse, a short work in c# minor. The passionate and dark opening flows smoothly and transitions to a short staccato section that moves on as quickly as it showed up, and the piece returns to the legato section. Right as you are beginning to truly get in to this work, it ends. Running at three and a half minutes, it's a short piece, but a wonderful short work.

Here's a recording of this lovely work for you to enjoy!*

Olga Kopylova

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