Matin provençal (A morning in Provence)

Joseph Bonnet (1864-1944) was the organist of St Eustache, in Paris. He was considered as a most infallible and flamboyant virtuoso. His music is now rarely played but his "Variations de concert" (http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/31166 by Eschoen) and, in anglo-saxon countries, "Les elfes" (http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/13838 by Eschoen too).

"Matin provençal" comes from a collection of three pieces titled "Poèmes d'automne". It evokes from dawn to midday on a sunny provençal morning. It's based on a single theme which sounds as a popular song :
- 0:00 : a kind of sketch of the theme, on the flutes, like faint light reflections on a calm water ;
- 0:30 the complete theme on the hautbois ;
-1:42 a progressive buildup based on the first part of the theme. The atmosphere, first a bit dark, becomes more and more sunny and exuberant ;
-4:23 : the theme in big chords on the tutti : the sun has reached its zenith ;
- 4:59 : a very short toccata to end (like the first bars, but FFF).

Bonnet's music (roughly forty pieces) is not all of an equal interest, but he was good for writing nice tunes and some of his music has - IMHO - much charm.