Jolivet, Andre - Fantasie Impromptu
The first section of this classic set work for alto and piano is brooding, and meanders for some time through opaque, muddy harmonies. There are hints of jazz, possibly by coincidence, but plenty of low dissonant rumblings. The melody fails to move away from a very limited range at first, then later begins to rise upwards, desperately trying to escape the treacle dungeon in which it is entombed. The odd lively dance that follows also has ragtime inflections, if always slightly marred by slightly angsty dissonance. The piece returns very briefly to the opening section before a bright and optimistic flourish concludes. There are similarities with this piece and moments in Francaix's Cinq Danse Exotique.