English pianist Roderick Chadwick has recorded the second volume in a series which presents Books 2 through 5 of Messiaen’s “Catalogue d’oiseaux” coupled with works which are linked either in style or subject matter. This follows the well-received issue in October 2020 of the first volume, entitled ‘La Mer Bleue’ which included Book 1 of the Catalogue.
This double album is a continuation of Chadwick’s journey through Messiaen’s “Catalogue d’oiseaux”, programming it alongside an array of solo piano works that share its themes, atmospheres and inspirations. The latest issue features Books 2 through 5, including the cycle’s great centrepiece ‘La rousserolle effarvatte’ (The Reed Warbler), which evokes the sights and sounds of the Sologne region across a full day’s span.
Roderick Chadwick, as both soloist and collaborator, has performed some of the most challenging works for piano; his recent Stockhausen disc was highly praised. He is a particular expert on Messiaen and in 2018 co-authored and published a book on the Catalogue d’oiseaux. He lives in South London and is Reader in Music at the Royal Academy of Music.
- Catalogue d’oiseaux, Book 2: Le traquet stapazin (14:12)
- Lunae (Four Nocturnes) – I. Around and a round… (3:07)
- Lunae (Four Nocturnes) – II. Love is the silence in which I remember you and repeat you (3:20)
- Lunae (Four Nocturnes) – III. Of stars and nightingales (2:59)
- Lunae (Four Nocturnes) – IV. Sufficit Lumen in Tenebris (2:17)
- Catalogue d’oiseaux, Book 3: La Chouette Hulotte (7:33)
- Catalogue d’oiseaux, Book 3: L’Alouette Lulu (7:03)
- Sensation – I. She hears (5:03)
- Sensation – II. Toucher (3:18)
- Sensation – III. Sight Lines (1:51)
- Sensation – IV. Nuits (1:05)
- Sensation – V. Alba (9:21)
- Sensation – VI. Coda (2:23)
- Catalogue d’oiseaux, Book 4: La Rousserolle effarvatte (30:25)
- Chanson d’approche (8:37)
- Catalogue d’oiseaux, Book 5: L’Aloutte calandrelle (5:26)
- Catalogue d’oiseaux, Book 5: La Bouscarle (11:35)
- Preludes, Book 1 – No. 4 “les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir” (2:58)
- Lyric Pieces, Book V, Op. 54 – No. 4 Notturno (3:24)
Olivier Messiaen:
Sadie Harrison:
Olivier Messiaen:
Julian Anderson:
Olivier Messiaen:
Betsy Jolas:
Olivier Messiaen:
Claude Debussy:
Edvard Grieg:
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01
Catalogue d'oiseaux, Book 2: Le traquet stapazin (14:12)
02
Lunae (Four Nocturnes) – I. Around and a round… (3:07)
03
Lunae (Four Nocturnes) – II. Love is the silence in which I remember you and repeat you (3:20)
04
Lunae (Four Nocturnes) – III. Of stars and nightingales (2:59)
05
Lunae (Four Nocturnes) – IV. Sufficit Lumen in Tenebris (2:17)
06
Catalogue d'oiseaux, Book 3: La Chouette Hulotte (7:33)
07
Catalogue d'oiseaux, Book 3: L'Alouette Lulu (7:03)
08
Sensation – I. She hears (5:03)
09
Sensation – II. Toucher (3:18)
10
Sensation – III. Sight Lines (1:51)
11
Sensation – IV. Nuits (1:05)
12
Sensation – V. Alba (9:21)
13
Sensation – VI. Coda (2:23)
14
Catalogue d'oiseaux, Book 4: La Rousserolle effarvatte (30:25)
15
Chanson d'approche (8:37)
16
Catalogue d'oiseaux, Book 5: L'Aloutte calandrelle (5:26)
17
Catalogue d'oiseaux, Book 5: La Bouscarle (11:35)
18
Preludes, Book 1 – No. 4 "les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir" (2:58)
19
Lyric Pieces, Book V, Op. 54 – No. 4 Notturno (3:24)






