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Preludes and Sonata of Messiaen and Shostakovich
Michael Kieran Harvey, piano
Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) and Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) were two of the greatest composers of the twentieth century. Both were remarkable in that they discovered their own unique and distinctive creative voice when they were in their teens and each was inspired by one of the two great 'religions' of the twentieth century, Catholicism and Communism respectively. Messiaen was a devout Catholic and his spirituality is a fundamental element of almost his entire creative output.
Shostakovich, three times a recipient of the Order of Lenin, was regarded as a champion of Communism When I heard the wonderful pianist Ayako Uehara perform the breathtakingly difficult Shostakovich Sonata during the 2000 Sydney International Piano Competition, I realised why I hadn't heard it live before, and also that I had to perform it. (It also stung me that as so often happens in competitions Ms Uehara's obvious imagination, creativity and daring went unrewarded, and as official ABC Classic FM commentator I said as much at the time). The important point to remember about this type of work is that the music only makes sense when one is playing in extremis, and makes a nonsense of the careful roboticism trotted out for so much classical music performance. Shostakovitch's message is urgent and raw, overflowing with intelligence and outrage. He himself played the work, which speaks volumes of his own pianistic prowess and recklessness, and it is very hard to imagine him pulling any punches in performance. Indeed, criticism of his playing concerns his "excitability", hardly something one can hold against him given the passionate material being dispatched. The enthusiasm of discovery, of finding a 12-tone system (all notes of the row are used in the first bar, just as in the Boulez 2nd sonata [1948]) to free his imagination stands as contrast with the obvious tonal gloom and irony of his later works. Hints of this ironic gloom and code - a result of charges of "formalism" directed at him and others by the detestable Union of Composers - are just discernibly emerging I think in the preludes. - Michael Kieran Harvey Press quotes:
“One of the most rewarding piano discs of the year”
— Tony Way, The Age Green Guide “Insightful, powerful performances”— Katarina Kroslakova, The Saturday Age - Limelight Magazine “As we've com to expect, Michael Kieran Harvey's performances of all these works are astounding ... Highly recommended”— Michael Hannan, MCA Music Forum Feb 2007 “Here is yet another remarkable testament to Harvey's skill and musical insight”— Clive O'Connell, The Saturday Age Audio previews:
Track Listing:
24 Preludes - Shostakovich
1 Moderato 2 Allegretto 3 Andante 4 Moderato 5 Allegro vivace 6 Allegretto 7 Andante 8 Allegretto 9 Presto 10 Moderato non troppo 11 Allegretto 12 Allegro non troppo 13 Moderato 14 Adagio 15 Allegretto 16 Andantino 17 Largo 18 Allegretto 19 Andantino 20 Allegretto furioso 21 Allegretto poco moderato 22 Adagio 23 Moderato 24 Allegretto Preludes - Oliver Messiaen 25 La colombe 26 Chant d'extase dans un paysage triste 27 Le nombre leger 28 Instants defunts 29 Les sons impalpables du reve 30 Cloches d'angoisse et larmes d'adieu 31 Plainte calme 32 Un reflet dans le vent Piano Sonata - Dmitri Shostakovich 33 Piano Sonata No. 1 in C, Op 12 (1926) - Dmitri Shostakovich This CD is part of the Michael Kieran Harvey Collection Catalogue Number: MD3308
Price: AU$26.00
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Preludes and Sonata of Messiaen and Shostakovich can be purchased through Buywell Just Classical who offer secure on-line ordering. |
 Featured Artists:
Michael Kieran Harvey is one of the foremost interpreters of contemporary piano music of his generation. A champion of Australian music and himself a composer, he regularly commissions new Australian music and has performed Australian music with Australia's leading contemporary music ensembles and orchestras
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