Charles Tournemire: Douze Préludes-Poèmes, Op. 58 - for piano - PART 1

French composer Charles Tournemire (1870 - 1939) is widely known in the organ world as a master improvisor and composer of unique and sometimes challenging organ music. But he is almost completely unknown to pianists, despite having written numerous pieces for the instrument. His 'Douze Préludes-Poèmes' of 1932 are perhaps considered the crowning achievement of his works for the medium and display an enigmatic style which nods at Debussy and the impressionists whilst anticipating the structural and phrasing patterns, as well as the soundworld, of Messiaen. This set of pieces, loosely put, traces the physical, emotional and spiritual journey of man from birth to death, and the sense of a journey comes across well, in so much as they would not sit quite as well as individual recital pieces. This is the first piece in the set and is called 'Naissance de l'homme' - 'Birth of man' and shows Tournemire's use short phrasings of rich harmony and poignant lyricism to great effect. The sound of unearthly tolling bells are a feature of this music and occur in several of the pieces in the set. Pieces 6, 7 and 12 to follow. Enjoy! Piano: Lise Boucher