Timbre, Space and Movement

Dutilleux 100

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of one of the 20th century's most sensuous and beguiling musical voices.

Henri Dutilleux (1916-2013) was one of French music's greatest composers: the heir to Fauré, Debussy and Ravel. His music blends ravishing instrumental colours and harmonies with a highly individual approach to new sounds and forms. Always beautiful, never barbarous, Dutilleux's music never clung dogmatically to avant-garde trends or fashions, making his one of the most accessible and appealing modern voices in classical music. In the week of what would have been Dutilleux's 100th birthday, Donald Macleod discusses his life and legacy with two of the UK's leading experts on his music, who the composer wryly dubbed "les deux Carolines...": Caroline Potter and Caroline Rae.

The week begins with Dutilleux's early years growing up in Douai in the far north of France, his struggles in Occupied Paris during the Second World War, and two of his most beloved orchestral works: "Timbres, Space and Movement" and his First Symphony.

Dutilleux
Gong (1) (Correspondances)
Barbara Hannigan, soprano
Orchestre Philharmonique De Radio France
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor

Dutilleux
I. Quarter note = c.72 (Timbres, Espace, Mouvement)
BBC Philharmonic
Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor

Dutilleux
Feerie Au Clair De Lune; Fantasio
Patrick Mason, baritone
Robert Spellman, piano

Dutilleux
Sonatine for flute and piano
Emmanuel Pahud, flute
Eric Le Sage, piano

Dutilleux
I. Passacaille Andante; II. Scherzo Molto Vivace (Symphony no.1)
Orchestre De Paris
Paavo Järvi, conductor

Dutilleux
Gong (2); De Vincent À Theo (Correspondances)
Barbara Hannigan, soprano
Orchestre Philharmonique De Radio France
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor.