Claude Vivier: Orion, Siddhartha & 5 Chansons for Percussion

Featuring

Peter Rundel
Christian Dierstein
WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Claude Vivier

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Composer Biography

Claude Vivier was murdered in Paris on March 7, 1983, shortly after completing his last, prophetically titled, unfinished work, 'Glaubst du an die Unsterblichkeit der Seele' (Do you believe in the immortality of the soul).

Compositional Technique

Vivier's unique style is characterized by striking melodies, words sung in an invented language, and harmonies created by complex overtone series.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Vivier's music is deeply personal, reflecting themes from his life such as his unknown origins, search for his mother, religious vocation, and homosexuality.

Composer Biography

Vivier's studies with Karlheinz Stockhausen in Cologne significantly influenced his compositional techniques, including parameter quantification and permutative structures.

Composer's Artistic Vision

A long trip through Asia in 1976, particularly his stay in Bali, solidified Vivier's ideas about the role of the artist in society and initiated a new stylistic period in his music.

Composer Biography

Claude Vivier, born in Montréal to unknown parents, was adopted at the age of three and discovered music at the seminary he entered at sixteen.

Performer Biography

Christian Dierstein, the percussionist on this album, has been a member of the ensemble recherche since 1988 and directs the percussion class at the Musikhochschule in Basle.