PIERRE-LAURENT AIMARD HOMAGE A MESSIAEN

 

OLIVIER MESSIAEN (1908–1992)

 

8 Préludes (1928/29)

1. La colombe

2. Chant d'extase dans un paysage triste

3. Le nombre léger

4. Instants défunts

5. Les sons impalpables du rﾐve

6. Cloches d'angoisse et larmes d'adieu

7. Plainte calme

8. Un reflet dans le vent

 

Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956–58)

9. La bouscarle (book 5)

6. L'alouette lulu (book 3)

 

4 Etudes de rythme (1949/50)

11.  Ile de Feu 1

12.  Ile de Feu 2

 

Pierre-Laurent Aimard - piano

 

Pierre-Laurent Aimard’s tribute to Olivier Messiaen coincides with the 100th anniversary of the composer’s birth on 10 December 2008 - A highlight of the Messiaen year

 

Aimard has a strong personal connection to Messiaen: he studied piano with the composer’s wife Yvonne Loriod from the age of twelve and won the Messiaen Competition in 1973. He has been a champion of Messiaen’s music throughout his career, one of the few pianists to keep this repertoire alive in the concert hall and bring new admirers to it.

 

For this anniversary album, Aimard has selected the early 8 Préludes (1928–29), the tense Quatre Études de rythme (1949–50) and excerpts from the cycle Catalogue d’oiseaux (1956–58), showcasing the broad spectrum of Messiaen’s piano works. Aimard is widely acknowledged as being the pre-eminent interpreter of contemporary music with links to many of the greatest masters of our age, among them Boulez, Carter and Ligeti.

 

In 2008 Aimard performs Messiaen’s repertoire in concerts all over Europe, the US and Japan. His readings have indisputable authority because of his personal association with the composer. He is the curator of the Southbank Centre's Messaien season which runs through to the beginning of 2009, and during his time in London he will also give concerts at the Wigmore Hall. In 2009 he will also take over the artistic direction of the Aldeburgh Festival.

 

DG 4777452