Milhaud piano music

[Larry Kart]

Just picked this up:

http://www.amazon.com/Milhaud-Piano-Madeleine-Alexandre-Tharaud/dp/B00000148Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1334844416&sr=1-1

So far it's magical and often quite jazz-like (i.e. the Saudades de Brasil) , or at least it swings -- this thanks to both Milhaud and Tharaud's lovely playing.

[Pete C]

I've had the William Bolcom recording on Nonesuch of some of that music for years. Saudades is based on Brazilian choros, a form which is jazz-inflected in essence.

[Larry Kart]

I have the Bolcom too on LP but haven't compared them.

[mikeweil]

Thanks for mentioning this - I knew Saudades do Brazil, but the other two cycles, La muse menagere, and L'album de Madame Bovary, are rarely played. Milhaud is one of my favourite composers, and the samples sound good. I will get me a copy ...

[Pete C]

Le Boeuf Sur le Toit is one of my favorite Milhaud pieces, but it's not an especially good soundtrack to sex.

[mikeweil]

I highly recommend Ian Hobson's recording of La Creation du Monde, as it uses the "jazz band version" - much better than the orchestral arrangement. Beautifully played on this CD. As a bonus, Hobson plays a handful of piano pieces.

amazon link - there are some cheap copies available.

If one wants a real "authentic" recording, conducted by the composer himself:

Those Californian studio players have a nice groove ...

Edited April 23, 2012 by mikeweil