Celebrating Five Decades of the Labèque Sisters with a New Triple Album
The renowned piano duo of sisters Katia and Marielle Labèque has been delighting audiences with their music for over five decades. Their new triple album, aptly titled 55, marks this milestone with a collection of 55 tracks, celebrating the rich history of their recordings. This album is both a tribute to their past work and an introduction to new interpretations.
The sisters’ journey began in 1969 at the Paris Conservatoire. While practicing the challenging two-piano piece, Visions de l’Amen by Olivier Messiaen, they caught the attention of the legendary composer himself. He initially suggested that one of them record the piece with his wife. The sisters declined, choosing instead to maintain their identity as a duo. Impressed, Messiaen oversaw their first recording. A movement from this historic recording concludes their new album.
55 includes well-loved gems from their vast repertoire, ranging from Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances and Fauré’s Dolly Suite to arrangements of Gershwin, Bernstein, and Debussy. However, nearly half of the album consists of new recordings, offering a fresh perspective, particularly highlighting female composers who have been overlooked in the past.
The album features work by Grażyna Bacewicz, a significant 20th-century Polish composer, and Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou, an enigmatic Ethiopian nun. The sisters also perform compositions by Lili Boulanger and a striking arrangement of Troubled Water by Margaret Bonds, an African American composer born in 1913.
About half of the album’s pieces are dynamic 2-piano duets, featuring works like Manuel de Falla’s Spanish Dance No. 1 and James P. Johnson’s Carolina Shout. Their rendition of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring delivers a powerful performance. Additionally, the Labèques include 4-handed repertoire, such as renditions of Ravel’s Mother Goose and Bizet’s Jeux d’enfants. They explore lesser-known composers like Marie Jaëll, whose little waltz showcases both darkness and French elegance.
This album is a comprehensive collection that even allows for individual performances. Katia collaborates with Chick Corea on We Will Meet Again and interprets pieces by William Duckworth and Dora Pejačević. Marielle offers her skill on tracks by Erik Satie, Howard Skempton, and Bryce Dessner of The National.
Messiaen’s recognition of their extraordinary precision and musical synergy remains unchanged. Their warmth of tone and fearless approach continue to redefine the possibilities of piano duets. This new album is a testament to their enduring legacy.