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In this imaginatively constructed programme, the Swedish pianist Fredrik Ullén juxtaposes music by Liszt and Messiaen, showing that there are closer parallels between them than might be expected.
A significant role in both composers’ work was played by religious convictions, and three of the Liszt pieces included here are related to saints of the Catholic Church.
Both men also ventured into unexplored musical territory, with Messiaen exploring bird song (which he described as an expression of ‘religious joy’) and Hindu rhythms, for instance in Cantéyodjayâ. Meanwhile
Liszt in his later years would develop an austere musical style full of dissonance, whole-tone scales, diminished and augmented chords. One of the prime examples of this is Unstern! Sinistre, disastro.
Franz Liszt: Sancta Dorothea, S187/R73
Sancta Dorothea, S187/R73
Franz Liszt: 2 Legendes, S175/R17
No. 1. St. Francois d' Assise - La predication aux oiseaux
Olivier Messiaen: Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (Little Sketches of Birds)
No. 1. Le rouge-gorge (Robin)
Franz Liszt: Consolations, S172/R12
No. 1. Andante con moto
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (Little Sketches of Birds)
No. 2. Le merle-noir (Blackbird)
Consolations, S172/R12
No. 2. Un poco piu mosso
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (Little Sketches of Birds)
No. 3. Le rouge-gorge (Robin)
No. 4. La grive-musicienne (Song Thrush)
Consolations, S172/R12
No. 3 in D flat major: Lento placido
No. 4. Quasi adagio
Petites esquisses d'oiseaux (Little Sketches of Birds)
No. 5. Le rouge-gorge (Robin)
No. 6. L'alouette des champs (Sky Lark)
Consolations, S172/R12
No. 5. Andantino
No. 6. Allegretto sempre cantabile
Franz Liszt: Unstern! Sinistre, disastro, S208/R80
Unstern! Sinistre, disastro, S208/R80
Olivier Messiaen: Canteyodjaya
Canteyodjaya
2 Legendes, S175/R17
No. 2. St. Francois de Paule marchant sur les flots
December 2012
****
“Ullen flits with ease between the worlds of the two composers. He brings poetry to both, plenty of flourishes and, for the tottering behemoth towards the end of Cantéyodjayâ, a suitable swagger. If there is the smallest caveat, it is that a little more space could be given to events...Nonetheless, this is a beautifully provocative recital.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Sancta Dorothea, S187/R73
