Napoléon Coste (1805-1883)
Guitar Works Vol 6
Fantaisie symphonique, Op 28b
La Chasse des Sylphes, Op 29
Grande Sérénade, Op 30
Le Départ, Fantaisie dramatique, Op 31
Mazurka, Op 33
Andante et Minuet, Op 39
An Tran (guitar)
rec. 2022, St Paul’s Anglican Church, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.
Naxos 8.574321 [65]
One of the didactic treasures of the guitar repertory is the Study in A, Opus 38 No 23 by Napoléon Coste. This melodious study embraces the polyphonic capabilities of the guitar by employing a strict bass line pattern of quavers and rests, the latter controlled by muting with the thumb; it continues relatively uninterrupted throughout the entire piece, and independent of the other lines. For those unfamiliar with the guitar, the result is rather mesmerizing, and most would insist that two instruments are employed.
Napoleon Coste has been acclaimed as France’s most eminent guitarist of the 19th century. He was born in Amondans (Doubs), France in 1805. His initial tutelage was by his mother, an accomplished guitarist. Aged 24, he moved to Paris and studied under the acclaimed Fernando Sor. Coste was influenced by early Classical-Romantic composers of the time, including Berlioz. His empathy with nature, like that of Berlioz, is reflected in Opus 47, La Source du Lyson. Unable to find a publisher, he self-published. Despite a severe left shoulder injury in 1863, Coste was able to continue public performances until two years before his death in 1883. On this point, the liner notes are at odds with other sources, and Coste’s own letters from the period.
This disc is the sixth in a series by Naxos based on the music of Coste, and each played by a different guitarist. The music on this volume is played by An Tran. Except for volume four, where the entire Op 38 is presented, this series contains few of the guitar studies by Coste. Arguably, the best recorded version of Op 38 No 23 is by Puerto Rican/American guitarist Manuel Gayol, which has long been deleted. A particularly excellent one by Edson Lopes can be found on social media.
An Tran’s programme presents some of Coste’s longer and more substantial compositions: Fantaisie symphonique, Op 28b in four movements, lasts for 16:40, and Op 29 and Op 30 here play for 14:18 and 12:35 respectively. Both of these latter compositions were part of four submitted in a prestigious Brussels composer’s competition; Coste won second prize, the winner being Johann Mertz. Most of this music by Coste is relatively unknown, and has not been over-recorded, like much of the staple guitar repertory.
An Tran was born in Vietnam. After leaving the Vietnam National Academy of Music in 2007, he received his B.A. in Music in 2014. He was awarded the Student Laureates of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois from North Park University (Chicago), where he studied with Julie Goldberg and Tom Zelle. His subsequent studies include tutelage by Benjamin Verdery at Yale University, and Anne Waller at North Western University. While pursuing these formal studies, he also attended master classes with such luminaries as Oscar Ghiglia, David Russel, and Raphaella Smits, among others.
An Tran is in good company with those who recorded the previous five volumes of this composer. His musicianship and technical command of the instrument are impressive, and the programme is eminently enjoyable. The tone Tran produces is especially complementary to the overall offering of this disc.
Tran plays guitars made by Stephan Connor, on this occasion both a standard and a 7-string version. This may be, symbolically, in recognition of Coste’s fondness of playing a 7-string guitar. The seventh string on Coste’s guitar was ‘floating’ and typically tuned to D or C; it would vibrate sympathetically even when other strings were plucked. Which instrument is played on which track is not notated. Those with super hearing will be able to quickly identify which is which.
Overall, excellent guitar playing combined with a refreshingly different, and enjoyable programme. Those unfamiliar with the music of Napoléon Coste may find this revelatory.
Zane Turner
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