Messiaen: Catalogue d'oiseaux

Messiaen: Catalogue d'oiseaux
Pierre-Laurent Aimard
Pentatone Classics 5186670 [CDx3]
Pentatone Classics 5187214 [CDx3]

Contents:

    Catalogue d'Oiseaux, Book 1 (1956-58)
  1. Le Chocard des Alpes (The Alpine Chough)
  2. Le Loriot (The Golden Oriole)
  3. Le Merle bleu (The Blue Rock Thrush)

    4. Catalogue d'Oiseaux, Book 2 (1956-58)
  4. Le Traquet Stapazin (The Black-eared Wheatear)

    5. Catalogue d'Oiseaux, Book 3 (1956-58)
  5. La Chouette Hulotte (The Tawny Owl)
  6. L'Alouette lulu (The Wood Lark)
    Catalogue d'Oiseaux, Book 4 (1956-58)
  1. La Rousserolle Effarvatte (The Reed Warbler)
    Catalogue d'Oiseaux, Book 5 (1956-58)
  1. L'Alouette Calandrelle (The Short-toed Lark)
  2. La Bouscarle (The Warbler)

    3. Catalogue d'Oiseaux, Book 6 (1956-58)
  3. Le Merle de roche (The Rock Thrush)

    4. Catalogue d'Oiseaux, Book 7 (1956-58)
  4. La Buse variable (The Buzzard)
  5. Le Traquet rieur (The Black Wheatear)
  6. Le Courlis cendré (The Curlew)

Performer: Pierre-Laurent Aimard (piano)

Playing times: 60', 32', 61' = 153'

Recording dates: August 2017 (Berlin); released: 2018, 2024

I'd been seeking an updated recording of this music for a while, sifting through various similar items (i.e. with improved sound), but now I guess I'm going with the crowd & recommending this set, which received various accolades.... In particular, everything is quite clear & precise, with a kind of separation to the various different interjections, i.e. suggesting a (welcome) backdrop of silence....

The included discussion is also quite substantial.

And the classic set of recordings that was a favorite for years:

Catalogue d'Oiseaux
Peter Hill
1-3: Unicorn Kanchana 9062
4-6: Unicorn Kanchana 9075
7 / Fauvette: Unicorn Kanchana 9090

One thing the newer reading does lack is inclusion of the later, related piece La Fauvette des Jardins (1970)....

To purchasing information for this disc.

To Messiaen list.

T. M. McComb