The introduction of the French label Pianovox is very promising. This label, which focuses exclusively on (mostly 20th century) piano music, includes a series of relatively low-priced CDs, with a limited but carefully selected programming. A good example is the CD with the piano works of Claude Vivier. This Canadian composer was best known for a number of works he wrote in the last years before his
… tragic death in 1983. These works, which are characterized by a combination of theatricality and archaic eloquence, were promoted with enthusiasm by authorities such as György Ligeti and Reinbert de Leeuw. Vivier had not yet developed this distinctive style when he wrote his piano works in the 1970s. These works therefore betray the influence of examples such as Messiaen (Pianoforte, Shiraz) and Boulez (Désintégration). Yet behind these notes does indeed hide the passionate zest for life of Viviers herself. Shiraz, for example, is an evocation of the South Iranian city of the same name, where Vivier is said to have observed two blind singers for hours. The piano works mentioned are played by Kristi Becker and Ursula Kneihs. (HJ)more
