Rustiques

A prolific composer and renowned conductor, Eugène Bozza (1905–1991) left us several operas, ballets, large-scale symphonic and choral works, but his worldwide reputation is derived mainly from his many chamber works, written for various instrumental formations with a preference for wind instruments. Rustiques was composed in 1955 for the Prix de cornet à pistons of the Paris Conservatoire, then edited for cornet or trumpet. It is one of a series of eloquently titled pieces inspired by nature: Fantaisie pastorale (oboe and piano), En forêt (horn and piano), and Soir dans les montagnes (flute and piano). Its structure is typical of many competition pieces: an introduction in the form of a free prelude precedes a cantabile Andantino, which is itself followed by a rapid dance.