Sébastien Monneret - 12 Préludes Mineurs (Haley Myles)

Information

Composer: Sébastien Monneret

1. Prelude No. 1 in C Minor
2. Prelude No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor
3. Prelude No. 3 in D Minor
4. Prelude No. 4 in E-Flat Minor
5. Prelude No. 5 in E Minor
6. Prelude No. 6 in F Minor
7. Prelude No. 7 in F-Sharp Minor
8. Prelude No. 8 in G Minor
9. Prelude No. 9 in G-Sharp Minor
10. Prelude No. 10 in A Minor
11. Prelude No. 11 in B-Flat Minor
12. Prelude No. 12 in B Minor

Haley Myles, piano

Date: 2025

Label: iMD-NOCTURNIA

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This album, composed of 12 piano pieces and lasting 40 minutes, is the result of more than three years of artistic collaboration with Haley.

Unlike my previous album, "24 Nocturnia" (performed by Jean-Camille Comatti), which is very diverse with modern and pop influences, the composition of "12 Préludes Mineurs » is undoubtedly inspired by 19th-century Romantic music, embodied by Chopin and many other masters.

Melodic writing remains my priority, as I believe in melody as a timeless and unalterable essence. In this sense, I feel eminently close to Chopin, Schubert or Brahms.

The idea and the challenge for me were also to compose 12 pieces in 12 different keys in a similar harmonic domain: that of the harmonic minor scale. Prelude #10 in A minor is an exception to the rule since it's the natural minor scale I'm using, announcing the upcoming neoclassical album "7 Colors." You now know my love for the concept of communicating vessels.

So, of course, the idea of ​​exploring keys isn't new, and I'm not inventing anything. Bach already conceptualized this idea—a few centuries ago—with the advent of the Well-Tempered Clavier (24 Preludes and Fugues). Bach follows the cycle of fifths, alternating between major and minor modes. I follow the chromatic scale. The intellectual approach is different but just as interesting.

This album was recorded by Haley at home. While not quite as professional as a studio, the recording and mastering techniques allowed me to achieve a very satisfying result that in no way hinders Haley's superb performances. I'm very proud of the result. And perhaps one day, we'll head into the studio as I did for the recording of "24 Nocturnia." — Sébastien Monneret

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