Various Composers - Mémoire (Alexandre Tharaud)

Information

1. François Couperin - Second livre de pièces de clavecin, Sixième ordre: V. Les barricades mystérieuses
2. Charles Gounod - Impromptu
3. Jules Massenet - 10 Pièces de genre, Op. 10: No. 5, Mélodie "Élégie"
4. Léo Delibes - Coppélia, Act 1: No. 1, Valse (transcr. Tharaud)
5. Claude Debussy - Préludes, Livre I, CD 125, L. 117: No. 8, La fille aux cheveux de lin
6. André Messager - Ballet d'Isoline: IV. Mazurka
7. Maurice Ravel - Ma mère l'Oye, M. 62: VII. Le jardin féerique (transcr. Tharaud)
8. Jean Wiener - Java
9. Erik Satie - 6 Gnossiennes: No. 1, Lent
10. Germaine Tailleferre - Impromptu
11. Gabriel Grovlez - L’almanach aux images : No. 3, La sarabande
12. Francis Poulenc - 8 Nocturnes, FP 56: No. 1, Sans traîner
13. Gabriel Fauré - Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11 (transcr. Tharaud)
14. Georges Bizet - Nocturne in D Major, WD 55
15. Adolphe Adam - Giselle, Act 2: No. 15, Pas de deux (arr. Büsser)
16. Emmanuel Chabrier - 10 Pièces pittoresques: No. 10, Scherzo-valse
17. Lili Boulanger - D’un vieux jardin
18. Reynaldo Hahn - Le rossignol éperdu, Série IV "Versailles": No. 51, Adieux au soir tombant
19. Claude Delvincourt - Croquembouches: I. Omelette au rhum
20. Jean Françaix - Suite pour piano de "Si Versailles m'était conté": II. Louis XIII
21. Camille Saint-Saëns - Feuillet d’album, Op. 169
22. Paul Paray - Berceuse
23. Marcel Bitsch - Les songes merveilleux: No. 4, Le chalumeau d’or
24. Darius Milhaud - Printemps, Vol. I, Op. 25: No. 2, Souple
25. Jeanine Rueff - Vacances, Vol. II: No. 20, Le soir, tout s’endort…
26. Jean-Michel Damase - Féeries, Op. 38: No. 1, La Belle au bois dormant
27. Jef Le Penven - 5 Pièces pour piano: No. 1, Crépuscule

Alexandre Tharaud, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Warner Classics

_____________________

Pianist Alexandre Tharaud returns to his roots on his Erato album Mémoire, a curated program of 27 short works by 27 French composers arranged chronologically from the Baroque era to the late 20th century. Balancing celebrated masterpieces by Debussy, Ravel, Satie, and Fauré with lesser-known archival gems, Tharaud compares the collection to a complementary bouquet reflecting the rich duality of French musical heritage. The recording holds deep personal significance for Tharaud, connecting him to childhood memories of Darius Milhaud’s widow and his direct encounters with prominent French figures like Germaine Tailleferre, Jean Françaix, and Jean-Michel Damase throughout his formative training.

Alexandre Tharaud, born 1968, is a distinguished French pianist known for his refined artistry and wide-ranging repertoire. With over 25 acclaimed solo albums, he has explored music from Baroque masters like Couperin and Bach to Romantic composers and 20th-century French works. A versatile artist, Tharaud collaborates with dancers, writers, filmmakers, and musicians beyond classical genres. He regularly performs with major orchestras worldwide and will mark Ravel’s 150th anniversary with appearances across Europe and the U.S., including his debut with the San Francisco Symphony. A frequent recitalist at top venues, Tharaud records exclusively for Erato. His discography includes Ravel’s complete piano works, Beethoven’s final sonatas, and crossover tributes such as his homage to singer-songwriter Barbara. He is also a published author and has been featured in film, including a role in Michael Haneke’s Amour.