Kathryn Stott Photo: Lorenzo Cicconi Massi
Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013) drew on the rich legacies of his fellow French composers as well as Bartók and Stravinsky, in his own music.
But also, his music "stems from a profoundly magical universe wherein lies a mystery within each moment."
Dutilleux composed this sonata in 1947-48, when France was recovering from the devastation of war and the German occupation.
He'd been a stretcher-bearer himself, and also experienced the stress of the occupation and the loss of friends.
The three movements are Allegro con moto, Lied, and Choral et variations.
Kathryn Stott describes this music as "an epic journey...full of colour". And it's the variety of colour that she loves most about it.
Dutilleux wrote it for his wife, the acclaimed pianist Geneviève Joy. She and Henri are buried in the same grave in Montparnasse Cemetery.
"What a wonderful gift," says Stott, "perhaps they inspired each other."
Recorded 8 May 2017, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Darryl Stack
