Challan’s ‘Sextuor,’ Edited by Romine, Published by TrevCo Music

A work written by mid-20th century French composer Henri Challan (1910–1977) and edited by Associate Professor of Bassoon Ryan Romine, D.M.A., was recently published by TrevCo Music Publishing. The work, a sextet for the uncommon combination of flute, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola and cello, was written by Challan in 1932, when he was a student at the Paris Conservatory. While one can see the then 21-year-old Challan still experimenting with various textures and techniques in the piece, the melodies and lush harmonic language that became hallmarks of his later work are already there. “Sextuor” came to light in 2010, through conversations between a daughter of the late composer and a contact of Romine’s who was doing research on Paris Conservatory, where Challan taught in later years. This is the first time the work has been made available to the public.