Dive into the avian-inspired world of Olivier Messiaen with this captivating collection of piano works. Spanning nearly three hours, this album presents Messiaen's monumental "Catalogue d'oiseaux" (1956-1958) and the later "Petites esquisses d'oiseaux" (1985), both compositions that showcase the French composer's deep fascination with birds and their songs. Messiaen, renowned for his unique compositional style and rhythmic complexity, offers a symphony of nature's melodies, meticulously transcribed and transformed into a piano repertoire.
The "Catalogue d'oiseaux" is a vast cycle of thirteen pieces, each named after a different bird species, from the Alpine Chough to the Kestrel. Messiaen's intricate notation and vivid imagery bring these avian subjects to life, creating a vivid aural landscape that is as educational as it is entertaining. The later "Petites esquisses d'oiseaux" is a more concise set of six pieces, dedicated to his wife Yvonne Loriod, and offers a charming complement to the larger work.
This album features the masterful piano playing of Håkon Austbø and Alfonso Gomez, who navigate Messiaen's complex rhythms and harmonies with precision and sensitivity. The recording, set for release on KAIROS in 2025, promises to be a highlight for fans of avant-garde and classical music alike. Whether you're a bird enthusiast, a Messiaen aficionado, or simply a lover of unique and innovative piano music, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
Tracks
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 1er Livre, I. Le Chocard des AlpesOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 1er Livre, II. Le LoriotOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 1er Livre, III. Le Merle BleuOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 2e Livre, IV. Le Traquet StapazinOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 3e Livre, V. La Chouette HulotteOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 3e Livre, VI. L'Alouette LuluOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 4e Livre, VII. La Rousserolle EffarvatteOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 5e Livre, VIII. L'Alouette CalandrelleOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 5e Livre, IX. La BouscarleOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 6e Livre, X. Le Merle de RocheOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 7e Livre, XI. La Buse VariableOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 7e Livre, XII. Le Traquet RieurOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Catalogue d'oiseaux (1956-1958) for Piano: 7e Livre, XIII. Le Courlis CendréOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (1985) for Piano: I. Le Rouge-GorgeOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (1985) for Piano: II. Le Merle NoirOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (1985) for Piano: III. Le Rouge-GorgeOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (1985) for Piano: IV. La Grive MusicienneOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (1985) for Piano: V. Le Rouge-GorgeOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (1985) for Piano: VI. L'Alouette des ChampsOlivier Messiaen, Alfonso Gómez
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