Olivier Messiaen - Poèmes pour Mi, Sept Haikai, Le réveil des oiseaux (1997)

Even at its most passionate, Olivier Messiaen's music can sound constructed and, to that degree, arbitrary. Even at its most dispassionate, in following the outlines of birdsongs, Messiaen's music can be luscious and exciting. Messiaen's 1936 song cycle "Poèmes pour mi" is regarded as a key early work in the output of the eminent French composer, as it touches upon most of the hallmarks of his mature style. ''Poemes'' is a rich score—hedonistic, opulent, at times savage—and it is richly played in this recording. Both the weirdness of some of the instrumental effects and the expressive excess give the feeling of a Surrealist landscape, through which the voice is traveling. Of the two solo pianists heard here, Pierre-Laurent Aimard in ''Reveil'' gives a performance of great virtuosity and detailed musical character, whereas Joela Jones in ''Sept Haikai'' is more vehement and more subjective.

Tracklist

Poèmes pour Mi, Premier Livre:
I. Action de grâces
II. Paysage
III. La Maison
IV. Epouvante

Poèmes pour Mi, Deuxième Livre:
I. L'Epouse
II. Ta Voix
III. Les Deux Guerriers
IV. Le Collier
V. Prière exaucée

Le Réveil des oiseaux

Sept Haikai:
I. Introduction
II. Le Parc de Nara et les lanternes de pierre
III. Yamanaka - Cadenza
IV. Gagaku
V. Miyajima et le torii dans la mer
VI. Les Oiseaux de Karuizawa
VII. Coda

Deutsche Grammophon: 453 478-2