Boulez and Messiaen - A Winning Combination
Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 06/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pierre Boulez is not only one of the leading conductors of the last quarter of 20th century, but he is also a noted composer himself. As such, Boulez understands the importance of showcasing and recording the work of fellow contemporary composers. He has recently made memorable and award-winning CDs of the music of Bartok, Mahler, Ligeti, Varese, and Carter among others. After purchasing and enjoying Boulez discs of the above composers, I decided it was time to check out the music of Olivier Messiaen. I initially picked up two DG titles - "Et Expecto/Chronochromie" and this disc, "Poemes pour Mi/Sept Haikai/Le Reveil des oiseaux." Both CDs feature music that is atonal, difficult, complex, haunting, obscure and for some, it will be inaccessible. Messiaen's music has as much in common with avant-garde jazz of the 60s and 70s (though his music precedes that improvisational music), as it does with the classical music of the last century. In fact, coming from a jazz background, I was amazed at the similarities, particularly in the solo passages, between Messiaen's works for piano and orchestra, "Le Reveil des oiseaux" and "Sept Haikai" (featuring the piano talents of Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Joela Jones respectively), and the jazz compositions of Cecil Taylor and Marilyn Crsipell. By contrast, the disc's opening selection, "Poemes pour Mi," is passionate and serene, largely due to the vocal talents of soprano Francoise Pollet. In all, Messiaen's music may not be for everyone, but this disc is highly recommended for fans of modern classical music."