tracks

Eonta (1963) For Piano, 2 Trumpets & 3 Trombones
Morsima/Amorsima (1962) For Piano, Violin, Cello & Contrabass
Akea (1986) For Piano & String Quartet
Paille In The Wind (1992) For Piano & Cello

notes

Pianist Aki Takahashi follows up her acclaimed first disc of Xenakis piano works (which won a “Diapason d’or” in France, mode 80) with this second volume, of works for piano with instruments.

She is joined by an all-star cast of players: Rohan de Saram (formerly of the Arditti Quartet), The JACK Quartet, and the Callithumpian Consort conducted by Stephen Drury.

All works are underrepresented in current recordings or difficult to find at all.

The legendary EONTA — a blistering work with one of the most difficult piano parts ever written — receives its first new recording in over 10 years. The brass writing specifies spatialized movement for the brass players — including playing directly into the piano for its resonance — both dramatic to see and hear, captured in surround sound.

AKEA (1986), written for Claude Helffer and the Arditti Quartet, is not a typical addition to the romantic tradition of the piano quintet. It signaled the beginning of a more inward, reflective phase of Xenakis’ output.

MORISIMA/AMORSIMA was composed with the aid of a computer in 1962. This is the only readily available recording.

PAILLE IN THE WIND (1992) for piano & cello is performed with Rohan de Saram. This is the only available recording.

credits

Piano – Aki Takahashi
Written By – Iannis Xenakis

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