TRACK LIST:
1. TOMBEAU DE MESSIAEN 1994 (8:35)
for piano and tape
piano: Philip Mead
(world premiere recording)
2. MORTUOS PLANGO, VIVOS VOCO 1980 - remixed 1999 (9:10)
for 8 channel tape
3. FOUR IMAGES AFTER YEATS 1969
for piano
piano: Philip Mead
(world premiere recording)
I (0:45)
II (2:05)
III (2:20)
IV (16:15)
4. RITUAL MELODIES 1990 - remixed 1999 (13:00)
for quardaphonic tape

Jonathan Harvey 'Tombeau de Messiean'

Genre: electroacoustic

A special anniversary CD to celebrate Jonathan Harvey's 60th birthday. In an exclusive world premiere recording, virtuoso pianist Philip Mead interprets 'Tombeau de Messiaen' for piano and tape, Harvey's recent homage to the French composer, where the piano is continuously transformed by the swirling harmonic interactions and distortions of its ghostly tape counterpart.

Also for the first time on CD is one of Harvey's earliest works '4 Images After Yeats' the epic piano solo composition inspired by Yeats' mystical poems. The Purgatory theme is explored using fragments of music from the past (Bach, Liszt, Schoenberg,...) which weave in and out this dense and breathtaking score; a definite tour de force by Philip Mead. These piano compositions are intercut by two 'classic' Harvey tape pieces 'Ritual Melodies' and the sublime 'Mortuos Plango, Vivos Voco' both of which have been remixed by Harvey specially for this release. Built around the themes of Death and Rebirth and spanning a range from 1969 to 1999, this CD is an essential tribute to one of the most significant composers of our times.

Reviews:
'superb disc of Harveys music that covers all periods and a range of media... The performances, like the music, are dazzling.' (The Wire)

Credits:
Piano recorded at The Vestry Hall, London
Engineered and edited by Mike Willox
Produced by Jonathan Harvey