• Main Performer: Jean Barraqué
• Genre: Orchestral
• Period: Modern (1870-)

Review

Barraquè was one of the first serialists with a unique style that combined a rich impressionism and extremely formal pointillism. His beautiful "Sonate pour Piano" (1950-52) was praised by jazz critic Andre Hodeir in an early book..this praise and Barraquè use of jazz instrumentalists (playing his serial music) sitting together with classic ensembles led to Barraquè being stigmatized socially ... this was the late 50's. "...au dela du hasard" (1959) like "Chant apres Chant" (1966) for six percussionists, voice and piano, were both inspired by Hermann Broch's poem "The Death of Virgil", not merely setting the text, but reflecting upon it. The titles of the movements give some idea of this impulse - "The night without rays", "Unable to evolve or regress", "Which ephemeral signs?", "Abusive exaggerations", "In the wandering multitude", "For the unknown edge of chance", "Before the quotation", "Blinded by the dream (quotation)", "Beyond the direct line of sight", "On a thought without night". A very different style but a profoundly felt one. ~ All Music Guide

Albums with Complete Performances of the Work

Title	Date
Jean Barraque: Oeuvres complètes