Michel Béroff, a renowned pianist with a career spanning over five decades, presents a captivating collection of classical piano works in his latest album, set to release on April 7, 2025, under Warner Classics. This album is a testament to Béroff's virtuosity and versatility, featuring a diverse range of compositions from some of the most celebrated composers in classical music history.
The album opens with Claude Debussy's Préludes, Livre I, a series of twelve preludes that showcase Debussy's unique impressionistic style. Following this, Béroff delves into Camille Saint-Saëns' "Aquarium" from "Le carnaval des animaux," a piece known for its enchanting and evocative melodies. The heart of the album is dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109, a profound and introspective work that highlights Béroff's technical prowess and emotional depth.
The second half of the album introduces Maurice Ravel's "Ma mère l'Oye," a suite of five piano duets based on fairy tales, performed here in a solo piano arrangement. This is followed by Robert Schumann's "Humoreske," Op. 20, a playful and whimsical piece that contrasts beautifully with the more serious works on the album. The album concludes with Sergei Prokofiev's "Visions fugitives," Op. 22, a collection of twenty short piano pieces that offer a glimpse into Prokofiev's innovative and experimental style.
The album also includes Johann Sebastian Bach's Concerto for Two Pianos in C Minor, BWV 1060, performed by Michel Béroff and an unnamed second pianist. This piece is a stunning display of Baroque counterpoint and harmony, showcasing Béroff's ability to navigate complex musical structures with ease and grace.
With a total duration of 1 hour and 55 minutes, this album is a comprehensive exploration of the piano repertoire, spanning from the Baroque period to the early 20th century. Michel Béroff's masterful interpretations and impeccable technique make this album a must-listen for classical music enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. The album is a celebration of the piano's expressive range and a testament to the enduring power of classical music.
Debussy: Préludes, Livre I, CD 125, L. 117: No. 1, Danseuses de DelphesClaude Debussy, Michel Béroff
Debussy: Préludes, Livre I, CD 125, L. 117: No. 2, VoilesClaude Debussy, Michel Béroff
Debussy: Préludes, Livre I, CD 125, L. 117: No. 3, Le vent dans la plaineClaude Debussy, Michel Béroff
Debussy: Préludes, Livre I, CD 125, L. 117: No. 4, Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soirClaude Debussy, Michel Béroff
Debussy: Préludes, Livre I, CD 125, L. 117: No. 5, Les collines d'AnacapriClaude Debussy, Michel Béroff
Debussy: Préludes, Livre I, CD 125, L. 117: No. 6, Des pas sur la neigeClaude Debussy, Michel Béroff
Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux: VII. AquariumCamille Saint-Saëns, Michel Béroff, Alain Moglia, Guy-Joël Cipriani, Gerard Jarry, Gérard Pérotin, Jean-Philippe Collard, Michel Debost, Michel Tournus
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: I. Vivace, ma non troppo - Adagio espressivoLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: II. PrestissimoLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: III. (a) Andante molto cantabile e espressivoLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: III. (b) Variation I. Molto espressivoLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: III. (c) Variation II. LeggiermenteLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: III. (d) Variation III. Allegro vivaceLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: III. (e) Variation IV. Etwas langsamer als das ThemaLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: III. (f) Variation V. Allegro, ma non troppoLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109: III. (g) Variation VI. Tempo I del temaLudwig van Beethoven, Michel Béroff
Ravel: Ma mère l'Oye, for Piano 4-Hands, M. 60: I. Pavane de la Belle au Bois dormantMaurice Ravel, Jean-Philippe Collard, Michel Béroff
Ravel: Ma mère l'Oye, for Piano 4-Hands, M. 60: II. Petit PoucetMaurice Ravel, Jean-Philippe Collard, Michel Béroff
Ravel: Ma mère l'Oye, for Piano 4-Hands, M. 60: III. Laideronnette, Impératrice des PagodesMaurice Ravel, Jean-Philippe Collard, Michel Béroff
Ravel: Ma mère l'Oye, for Piano 4-Hands, M. 60: IV. Les entretiens de la Belle et de la BêteMaurice Ravel, Jean-Philippe Collard, Michel Béroff
Ravel: Ma mère l'Oye, for Piano 4-Hands, M. 60: V. Le jardin féeriqueMaurice Ravel, Jean-Philippe Collard, Michel Béroff
Schumann: Humoreske, Op. 20: I. Einfach - Sehr rasch und leichtRobert Schumann, Michel Béroff
Schumann: Humoreske, Op. 20: II. HastigRobert Schumann, Michel Béroff
Schumann: Humoreske, Op. 20: III. Einfach und zart - IntermezzoRobert Schumann, Michel Béroff
Schumann: Humoreske, Op. 20: IV. InnigRobert Schumann, Michel Béroff
Schumann: Humoreske, Op. 20: V. Sehr lebhaft - Mit einigem PompRobert Schumann, Michel Béroff
Schumann: Humoreske, Op. 20: VI. Zum BeschlußRobert Schumann, Michel Béroff
Prokofiev: Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No. 18, Con una dolce lentezzaSergei Prokofiev, Michel Béroff
Prokofiev: Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No. 19, Presto agitatissimo e molto accentuatoSergei Prokofiev, Michel Béroff
Prokofiev: Visions fugitives, Op. 22: No. 20, Lento irrealmenteSergei Prokofiev, Michel Béroff
Bach, JS: Concerto for Two Pianos in C Minor, BWV 1060: I. AllegroJohann Sebastian Bach, Michel Béroff, Jean-Philippe Collard, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Jean-Pierre Wallez
Bach, JS: Concerto for Two Pianos in C Minor, BWV 1060: II. AdagioJohann Sebastian Bach, Michel Béroff, Jean-Philippe Collard, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Jean-Pierre Wallez
Bach, JS: Concerto for Two Pianos in C Minor, BWV 1060: III. AllegroJohann Sebastian Bach, Michel Béroff, Jean-Philippe Collard, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Jean-Pierre Wallez