Four of Pascal Dusapin’s essays in the concerto genre are presented here in a compilation demonstrating Dusapin’s exceptional interpretation of the concerto form, performed by two of France’s leading orchestras and four exceptional soloists.

Performed by the internationally acclaimed orchestras Orchestre National de Montpellier and Orchestre de Paris, under the direction of Pascal Rophé and Christoph Eschenbach. Dusapin composed seven works in the concerto genre, and all date from his recent creative period, starting in 1991 with Aria for Clarinet and thirteen players, and reaching its latest incarnation with the piano concerto ‘A quia’ of 2002. In Dusapin’s works of the concerto type, the solo part is a lyrical monologue, which the orchestra enhances and comments on, rather than attempting to crush it. A highlight is the wonderfully dark ‘Celo’ (1996), dedicated to and inspired by acclaimed cellist, Sonia Wieder-Atherton. Performed by the dedicatee herself, the cello’s dramatic monologue, set against an orchestra of only forty players, is filled with drama and heart-rending intensity.

In two-and-a-half decades, Pascal Dusapin has established his position as one of the most individual voices on today’s musical scene. A powerful personality with an extensive catalogue that has now reached more than a hundred works, ranging from small solo pieces to full scale-operas, and an orchestral output defining his position as one of today’s master symphonists.

This recording, released to coincide with Dusapin’s 7 Solos for Orchestra, is a new album complied from CDs that are no longer available.