Olivier Messiaen's Chants de Terre et de Ciel is dedicated to his wife, the violinist and composer Claire Delbos, affectionately known as 'Mi'.
Composition History
Messiaen's Chants de Terre et de Ciel celebrates the birth of his son, Pascal, with songs like 'Danse du bébé-Pilule' and 'Arc-en-ciel d'innocence'.
Performer Biography
Soprano Barbara Hannigan has premiered over 90 new musical creations and has a fruitful collaboration with Alpha Classics, winning a Grammy for her album 'Crazy Girl Crazy'.
Compositional Technique
In Messiaen's La mort du nombre, a solo violin represents the 'âme unique' (unique soul) of the piece, starting with a fragile meditation and culminating in a duet with the piano.
Composition History
La mort du nombre, a 9-minute 'scena' by Messiaen, was written in 1930, several years before the Poèmes pour Mi.
Performer Biography
Pianist Bertrand Chamayou is a leading interpreter of French music, with a vast repertoire including the complete piano works of Ravel and Messiaen's Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus.
Recording & Production
The recording sessions for this album took place in July 2021 and November 2022 at Muziekcentrum van de Omroep in Hilversum, The Netherlands.
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