Philippe Gaubert's Medailles Antiques, composed in 1916 are two neoclassical short tone poems: Nymphes à la Fontaine and Danses. It is not clear why Gaubert chose a title such Medailles Antiques (Ancient Medals) when the titles to the two movements appear to have nothing to do with medals. However, it is quiet possible that Gaubert was thinking of the Cabinet des Medailles, a part of the French National Library which houses old coins and other valuable antiquities and perhaps he had come across something which reminded him of these. In any event, these are two lovely pieces, good for concert.
Philippe Gaubert (1879-1941) was born in the southern French town of Cahors. He studied flute with Paul Taffanel at the Paris Conservatory and became the leading flautist in France for several decades. He pursued a career as a performer, became conductor of the Paris Opera Orchestra and Professor of Flute at the Paris Conservatory. Not surprisingly, most of his compositions include the flute.
