Koechlin, Charles - Epitaph de Jean Harlow Op. 164
An absolutely gorgeous, flowing piece with an unusually romantic sensibility for Koechlin of saxophone etude fame. The sumptuous interaction between the flute and saxophone sits on a bed of delightful piano arpeggiations which interminably flow almost as harp might. Koechlin had in the past become infatuated with particular actresses who served as his muses. Avoiding cliched jazz/blues influenced inflections, as one might expect, Koechlin provides a fitting and tasteful musical inscription for the death of actress Jean Harlow who died in 1937 at the age of 26. Following her short, turbulent life, rumours circulated around the cause of her death. This short piece of music is a more appropriate response to the death of someone so very young.