Jonathan Harvey – Trio Fibonacci (2000)

Highlight of this album is the Tombeau de Messiaen for solo piano and computer tape, without a doubt. Seeing the performing trio Fibonacci mentioned so prominently on the covers and in the title might lead one into thinking the version presented here is an alternate setting; and indeed I thought so at first. Of course I didn’t know the piece in advance, or I would have understood a different setting for this composition is highly unlikely.
Listening to it, a second mistake in judgment could be made. I thought it sounded similar to Cage’s prepared piano or something, but when waves on top of waves of strangely vibrating notes began to engulf me I realized that couldn’t be it. So that’s where the computer came in, of course. Anyway, the piece is a nice example of how to make good use of the possibilities of electronics. It’s still a piano you’re hearing, but with a spicy dose of something extra that’s been administered; it’s present, but doesn’t draw too much attention to itself as a sound effect.
More Messiaen to be heard, if you ask me. The Piano Trio no. 1 - first three tracks of the album - are exquisitely reminiscent of the Frenchman’s impressionistic sketches.

Tracks:

01. Piano Trio 1.Song [0:02:03.47]
02. Piano Trio 2.System [0:05:05.30]
03. Piano Trio 3.Rite [0:06:18.30]
04. Advaya [0:19:39.60]
05. Dialogue & Song 1.Dialogue [0:03:26.65]
06. Dialogue & Song 2.Song [0:04:50.43]
07. Vers [0:03:04.50]
08. Tombeau de Messiaen [0:08:43.70]
09. Flight-Elegy [0:10:22.07]

Performers:

The Trio Fibonacci are:
Julie-Anne Derome – violin
Gabriel Prynn – cello
Andre Ristic - piano

Patrice Coulombe - electro-acoustical designer