AUGUSTE DESCARRIES Musique de chambre et melodies Pierre Rancourt, baritone Trio Hochelaga Anne Robert, violin ~ Dominique Beauséjour-Ostiguy, cello ~ Jimmy Brière, piano Guest Artists: Victor Fournelle-Blain, viola ~ Éliane Charest-Beauchamp, violin ACD2 2799 Devoted to chamber music and art songs by Auguste Descarries (1896-1958), this new recording reveals diverse aspects of this lesser known Canadian composer's creative gifts.   As a pianist and organist, Descarries was a highly gifted improviser and emeritus professor.   The main features of his style are Classical form, Romantic expression, a solid command of the composer's craft, authenticity of inspiration, and finely wrought harmonies. Baritone Pierre Rancourt brings Descarries' melodies to life, many of which are recorded here for the first time.   Pianist Jimmy Brière - member of the Hochelaga Trio - accompanies Rancourt at the piano and performs solo pieces, duet and chamber music with Hochelaga Trio and their guest artists Victor Fournelle-Blain on the viola and Éliane Charest-Beauchamp on the violin. A graduate of the Atelier lyrique de l'Opéra de Montréal and First Prize winner of the Canadian Music Competition, Pierre Rancourt is a regular guest soloist and communicator with orchestras and several established ensembles including the Opéra de Montréal, Grands Ballets Canadiens and Clavecin en concert.   He also produces his own events in which the voice engages with poetry and theatre. Founded in 2000 by violinist Anne Robert, Trio Hochelaga is internationally renowned for the precision of its playing, vivacity of its performances and originality of its artistic programming.   The ensemble remains loyal to hallowed chamber music traditions while valuing a vast and varied repertoire spanning the Classical period to new music. Auguste Descarries (1896-1958)   1. Fantaisie pour quatuor à cordes       Trois poèmes de Marceline Desbordes-Valmore   2. « Où vas-tu? »   3. « Reflet dans l'eau »   4. « Crois-moi »   5. Mauresque pour piano   6. Élégie pour violon et piano Danse-caprice pour piano   7. L'étoile du soir   8. Laissez-moi   9. Tristesse 10. Berceuse pour quatuor à cordes 11. Rondo sur « En roulant ma boule » pour trio 12. Conte « Il y avait une fois » pour trio 13. À la claire fontaine pour voix et trio / arr. Julien Bilodeau 14. Complainte d'après « Un Canadien errant » pour trio 15. Esquisse sur « Vive la Canadienne » pour trio 16. Mon lac pour violoncelle et piano 17. Souvenir pour piano 18. Je bénis le hasard pour voix et quatuor à cordes 19. En sourdine pour voix et quatuor à cordes 20. Quatuor pour violon, alto, violoncelle et piano / achevé par Aleksey Shegolev ATMA Classique is distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading PO Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone +61 (0)3 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile +61 (0)3 9444 6879