Cosmic Trilogy / The Shining One

"If there's another living composer who combines fantasy with shimmering orchestral virtuosity as brilliantly as Guillaume Connesson, I've yet to hear him."
(Daily Telegraph)

Recognised as one of the youngest and most gifted contemporary composers, Guillaume Connesson brings together an imaginatively diffuse range of influences, from the riches of the musical traditions of his native France to John Adams, Steve Reich and the funk of James Brown. During the composition of the works making up the Cosmic Trilogy Connesson also drew inspiration from such sources as the paintings of Kandinsky and the physics of Stephen Hawking.

After first discovering Connesson's music in 2001, Stéphane Denève remarked on its 'amazing orchestration… the quality of writing for large orchestra on the level of a Ravel or Stravinsky!' During his tenure at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Denève has regularly championed Connesson's works and two parts of the Cosmic Trilogy, 'Aleph' and 'Une lueur dans l'âge sombre', were commissioned by the RSNO. These are dedicated to Denève; in fact, the symphonic dance 'Aleph' was a marriage gift.

The Cosmic Trilogy evokes three moments in the history of the universe: the Big Bang in 'Aleph', the appearance of light and the stars in 'Une lueur dans l'âge sombre', and finally the explosion and death of a star in 'Supernova'. Connesson's works have been quickly appreciated by music lovers and performers for the exciting vitality they imbue, and the easy-going tonal strains that permeate them. The Guardian described the work as 'bright-toned and imaginatively scored… crowd-pleasing, colourful music'. Chandos is delighted to presents the first recording of the complete trilogy.

Guillaume Connesson studied piano, history of music, choir analysis and direction at the Conservatoire National de Région de Boulogne-Billancourt, as well as orchestration at the Conservatoire National de Paris. He is currently professor of orchestration at the Conservatoire National de Région d'Aubervilliers.

Guillaume Connesson: Cosmic Trilogy, Part I: AlephCosmic Trilogy, Part I: Aleph
Guillaume Connesson: Cosmic Trilogy, Part II: Une lueur dans l'age sombreI. Cosmique - Detendre - Calme -
II. Tres lent - Tempo I - A peine plus anime - A tempo (I) - Plus lent -
III. A tempo (I) - Animer un peu - Agite - Plus large - Animer imperceptiblement - Tempo I - Un peu plus lent - Calme - Plus lent, extatique, en calmant jusqu'a la fin
Guillaume Connesson: Cosmic Trilogy, Part III: SupernovaI. Quelques cercles
II. Pulsating Star
Guillaume Connesson: The Shining OneThe Shining One

29th January 2010
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"If there's another living composer who combines fantasy with shimmering orchestral virtuosity as brilliantly as Guillaume Connesson, I've yet to hear him."