For more than forty years Allain Gaussin fascinated by astrophysics has found a major source of inspiration in observing the cosmos as attest a number of works going from Vent solaire (1974) to Philae (2015) by way of L’Harmonie des sphères (2006). Ten years later the 'Messiaen du Pays de la Meije' Festival hosted the first performance of the piano trio Les Céphéides. The musical journey enables the listener to enter a space 'just as impalpable and fragile' as that in which moves each Cepheid variable – this star whose brightness varies over regular periods according to two elements: the diameter of the heavenly body and thetemperature reading of its surface. How does one translate such a change in music? The bow's sautillé gettato on the violin and cello gives the score's opening pages this granular glittering that leads us 'towards the centre of the Cepheid variables'. From there a stream of colourful arabesques – the composer's 'ribbon figures' – gushes forth. After a weightless transition the cello unfurls its contemplative meditation which ends up in a suspended coda open onto the infinity of the starry vault. As musicologist Michèle Tosi accurately says so it is that the full richness 'of a teeming imaginary universe' unfolds.

Contemporary Italian-French composer Armando Ghidoni brings together influences of both Italy and France in his music. Also as an expert on jazz the harmonies and rhythms of the composer's works reflect a huge diversity Classical Fugue Goes Jazz for Flute Clarinet (or Alto Saxophone) and Piano is no exception. Ghidoni is significant within the contemporary French music school and his works are regularly chosen as set pieces for leading national and international competitions. Classical Fugue Goes Jazz (Trio) reflects Ghidoni's mastery of a range of instruments. With a typical performancelasting about 14 minutes Classical Fugue Goes Jazz (Trio) for Flute Clarinet (or Alto Saxophone) and Piano is a truly exquisite addition to the modern ensemble repertoire.

Selected Songs chosen by Francois Le Roux-Exceptional singer Reynaldo Hahn (1875-1947) owes his early successes to the “songs for voice and piano” genre whose raison d’être he defines in his journal as follows: “To highlight a poem word for word but without uniformity; to emphasize its meaning without distorting it; to shine light upon one idea obscure another and present it all in vocal sung form; to produce a sharp precise sensation by touching a heartstring or evoking an image - all in a well-structured and tastefully written piece”. Enhanced by an audio version attached as a download card this anthology of songs should dispel a good manymisconceptions. This is no salon miniature: L’Heure exquise radiates an infinite tenderness exalted by the high vocal cadences of Ô Bien-Aimée! and C’est l’heure exquise which surely wrought tears from the author of the verses Verlaine. Tyndaris the jewel of Heures latines clears a crystal-clear space given over to the delights of slumber and of love. Like D’une prison and Cygnes these songs do more than wet the eyes: they grip the heart.

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is known for his unique composition style. Incorporating complex rhythms harmony melodies and his passion for ornithology his La Fauvette Des Jardins for Piano is no exception to the composer's popular distinctive style. Messiaen became fascinated by birdsong from an early age however it wasn't until the 1950s that he took his passion to a new level incorporating birdsong into all of his compositions. La Fauvette Des Jardins composed in 1972 begins with a list of the 18 birds depicted in this work. Messiaen's La Fauvette DesJardins is highly virtuosic often containing three staves. La Fauvette Des Jardins is essential to all advanced pianists seeking to expand and vary their repertoire.

Written for the Paris Conservatoire contest Myriades is a piece by François Dupin for Drums and Piano accompaniment. Dedicated to Jacques Delécluse this volume includes score parts and a scheme describing how to organise the Drums in the room. Considered as very difficult (8°) this piece requires some really good knowledge of the instruments and some strong abilities. However this great work is really interesting to play and should be really appreciated by the audience. It can be used for a contest or a recital. François Dupin (1931-1994) is a French musician and composer who studiedat the Paris Conservatoire won First Prizes including for composition and who dedicated his life to teach the Drums.

Quatre Mouvements is a piece written by Marc Berthomieu for a Flute or a Cello with Piano accompaniment. Written for intermediate players this piece is divided into four distinct parts: 1. Larghetto – romantic 2. Scherzo – cheerful 3. Andante 4. Presto Quite romantic to start with the piece becomes cheerful in the second part and ends up on a fast section. It includes a coda some trills and will require some basics of breathing technique. Marc Berthomieu (1906-1991) was a French composer. He created one of the Conservatoire inParis'' “15th arrondissement” and has composed many small operas.