Philip Glass: Cocteau Trilogy

by Katia Labeque, Marielle Labeque, Katia

Overview

Philip Glass' three operas based on films by Jean Cocteau, inspired by the composer's youthful experiences in Paris, are among his most variegated works and perhaps among the ones most likely to win over those unpersuaded by the composer. This release took shape as Katia and Marielle Labèque performed concerts devoted to two-piano arrangements of numbers from these operas in 2020 and 2023; the arrangements are by Glass colleague Michael Riesman. Many recordings of Glass have come from his own orbit, but this one, released by the Deutsche Grammophon label and a presence on classical best-seller charts in early 2024, shows the value in opening up the field. The Labèques bring a fluent but lively quality to the music that illuminates the material out of which the operas are woven. Sample the ragtime-like opening, "Le café," from Act I at the beginning. Elsewhere, one hears echoes of Gluck, Bach, and more, all superimposed on Glass' characteristic repeating patterns. The durable popularity of Katia and Marielle Labèque, still at the top of the duo piano heap, is remarkable, and it has occurred in part because the sisters are unafraid to take on new repertory. Here, they have done a spectacular job. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	03/01/2024
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0028948753697
Rank:	104286

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Orphée~Le Café
2. Orphée~La Route
3. Orphée~La Chambre d'Orphée
4. Orphée~Chez Orphée
5. Orphée~Le Voyage aux Enfers
6. Orphée~Orphée et la Princesse
7. Orphée~Interlude Musical Le Retour chez Orphée
8. Orphée~Le Studio d'Orphée
9. Orphée~Le Retour d'Orphée
10. Orphée~La Chambre d'Orphée
11. La Belle et la Bête~Ouverture
12. La Belle et la Bête~Les S¿urs
13. La Belle et la Bête~Le Dîner
14. La Belle et la Bête~Promenade Dans le Jardin
15. La Belle et la Bête~La Saisie des Meubles
16. La Belle et la Bête~La Confiance de la Bête
17. La Belle et la Bête~Le Miroir
18. La Belle et la Bête~Le Pavillon
19. La Belle et la Bête~La Métamorphose

Disc 2

20. Les Enfants Terribles~Overture
21. Les Enfants Terribles~Paul Is Dying
22. Les Enfants Terribles~The Somnambulist
23. Les Enfants Terribles~She Slapped Me
24. Les Enfants Terribles~They Lived Their Dream
25. Les Enfants Terribles~Terrible Interlude
26. Les Enfants Terribles~Cocoon of Shawls
27. Les Enfants Terribles~Lost
28. Les Enfants Terribles~Are You in Love, Agathe?
29. Les Enfants Terribles~She Took the Path
30. Les Enfants Terribles~Paul's End

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Katia and Marielle Labeque   Primary Artist
Katia Labeque   Primary Artist,Piano
Marielle Labeque   Primary Artist,Piano
Katia   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Philip Glass   Composer
Paschalis Zervas   Graphic Design
David Chalmin   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Photography
Umberto Nicoletti   Photography
Teo Nesprias   Piano Technician
Patrick Hinves   Piano Technician
Michael Riesman   Arranger
Jean Cocteau   Cover Art
Alexis Bardinet   Mastering