Red Orange Radio

Ars Musica, March 16, 1991, 11:00 pm: in almost total darkness, Le Bureau des Pianistes begins the complete works for several pianists of Morton Feldman (1926-1987). We are off for nearly three hours of music, the most lavish work for combined keyboards since Milhaud: a dozen pieces for every formation from three hands to five pianos. In an atmosphere of semi-darkness and restraint – how many ploys we need to rediscover the ways of true contemplation! – that night was for us, the pianists of Le Bureau, a privileged moment of total liberation from classical constraint: no virtuosity here, no pianistic effects; sparse, almost non-existant dynamics, here and there, a few effect of synchronization. The Feldmanian universe works as a pacifier, and at last oblivious of time’s flight, all our sensibilities bend to listen to a soaring within us – a precarious state, close to sleep, demanding an absolute attention, an infinite restraint at the limit of objectivity.

01. Morton Feldman: “Piece For Four Pianos” (from “Pieces For More Than Two Hands by Le Bureau Des Pianists”, Unclassical Sub Rosa, 1991)
02. Morton Feldman: “Intermission IV” (from “Pieces For More Than Two Hands by Le Bureau Des Pianists”, Unclassical Sub Rosa, 1991)
03. Morton Feldman: “Piano – Four Hands” (from “Pieces For More Than Two Hands by Le Bureau Des Pianists”, Unclassical Sub Rosa, 1991)
04. Morton Feldman: “Two Pianos” (from “Pieces For More Than Two Hands by Le Bureau Des Pianists”, Unclassical Sub Rosa, 1991)
05. Morton Feldman: “Five Pianos” (from “Pieces For More Than Two Hands by Le Bureau Des Pianists”, Unclassical Sub Rosa, 1991)