Composer: Olivier Eugène Prosper Charles Messiaen
Performer: Bertrand Chamayou, Barbara Hannigan, Vilde Frang, Charles Sy
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Alpha
Catalogue: ALPHA1033
Release: 2024
Size: 971 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Chants de Terre et de Ciel
01. No. 1, Bail avec Mi (pour ma femme)
02. No. 2, Antienne du silence (pour le jour des Anges gardiens)
03. No. 3, Danse du bébé-pilule (pour mon petit Pascal)
04. No. 4, Arc-en-ciel d’innocence (pour mon petit Pascal)
05. No. 5, Minuit pile et face (pour la mort)
06. No. 6, Résurrection (pour le jour de Pâques)
Poèmes pour Mi
Premier Livre
07. No. 1, Action de grâces
08. No. 2, Paysage
09. No. 3, La Maison
10. No. 4, Épouvante
Deuxième Livre
11. No. 1, L’épouse
12. No. 2, Ta voix
13. No. 3, Les deux guerriers
14. No. 4, Le collier
15. No. 5, Prière exaucée
16. La mort du Nombre
Soprano Barbara Hannigan and pianist Bertrand Chamayou unite to record the vocal music of Olivier Messiaen, presenting his two major song cycles from the 1930’s. Existing in both the sensual and sacred realms, the Poèmes pour Mi are inspired by the precious relationship of Messiaen and “Mi” – the nickname of his first wife; violinist and composer Claire Delbos. Chants de terre et de ciel also emerges from Messiaen’s marriage to Delbos, written just after the birth of their son, Pascal. Both cycles oscillate between hypnotic meditation and ecstatic songs of love, supported by Messiaen’s intense spiritual faith. Inspired by Messiaen’s words, “It is a glistening music we seek…”, Hannigan and Chamayou delve into the composer’s complex language to reveal a natural and flowing music, whose roots extend from the earth upwards to a shimmering realm. As a final work on the album, Hannigan and Chamayou included a rarely performed “scena” of Messiaen: La Mort du nombre (1929) is a dialogue between two souls, in which they are joined by the Canadian tenor Charles Sy and the Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang.