Track Listing

1. Concert � quatre, for flute, cello, piano & orchestra, I/62: Movement 1
2. Concert � quatre, for flute, cello, piano & orchestra, I/62: Movement 2
3. Concert � quatre, for flute, cello, piano & orchestra, I/62: Movement 3
4. Concert � quatre, for flute, cello, piano & orchestra, I/62: Movement 4
5. Les Offrandes oubli�es, m�ditations symphoniques, for orchestra (also a piano reduction), I/5a,b
6. Un Sourire, for orchestra, I/57
7. Le Tombeau resplendissant, for orchestra, I/7

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #193348 in Music
• Released on: 1995-05-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Amazon.com
The Concerto á Quatre was Messiaen's last work, left unfinished on his desk at his death. His widow undoubtedly followed his wishes and style in completing the orchestration. But we can still wonder whether the diffuse impression this score makes is inherent in its conception--that was sometimes a flaw of Messiaen's music--or if it needed revisions he didn't live to make. Don't use this disc as your introduction to Messiaen's orchestral works; try the collection on Chandos (CHAN 9301) instead. For the Messiaen collector, though, this disc is indispensable, not only for his last thoughts but also for the rarely-heard works that fill the remainder. Messiaen never heard this disc, but he loved Chung's conducting of his music. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Violence and peace
What's interesting in this recording is that it allows you to hear music from the youngest as well as the oldest Messiaen.

While his last work, Concert à quatre, is close to his usual mature style (including various birdsongs), it could be the concerto of a young man, full of poetry and optimism, with beautiful fresh melodies and an exciting final "dance".

But two orchestral pieces are also included in the CD form the early years of Messiaen: both Le Tombeau and Les Offrandes are fascinating as they already show the genius of a composer who immediately found his own style and own approach of music. they also emphasize something which is hardly noticed in Messiaen's music: violence. Far from always being sweet and peaceful, his music can be sometimes incredibly harsh, allowing a very interesting use of brass among other things.

Of course, peace and faith always conclude even his worst moment of violence, and few music are more moving than the end of Le Tombeau: on an everlasting chord whispered by the strings, the cellos sing a peaceful and heavenly melody which climb higher and higher until it finally fades in the major chord.

A very good direction and a high-class orchestra gives this music all its youthful energy... and all its wisdom.

Have to love it
This is Messiaen's last work and without doubt, one of my favorite. The recording couldn't be better since the concert was dedicated to all of those who play.