Description

La Mandragore (“The Mandrake”)
“Under the gallows grows the mandrake. At midnight, when the moon is full, it is picked beneath the hanged man who swings…”
The mandrake: a Mediterranean plant used in witchcraft Due to its mot in the shape of a homunculus, it is believed to have magic powers.
The music: a spiral centred on several ostinati of rhythm, colour and timbre – five “spectral” chords of variable appearance turn in the arms of the spiral.
This piece was commissioned by pianist Tomoko Yazawa and the French Ministry of Culture.
Tristan Murail

Recordings

1 CD Baby, 9011550
Playing In The Dark
Tomoko Yazawa (piano)

1 CD Telos Music, TLS 107
Hommage à Messiaen
Prodromos Symeonidis (piano)

1 CD Metier, MSVCD92097
Comme un oeil suspendu et poli par le songe – Estuaire – Territoires de l’oubli – Cloches d’adieu, et un sourire… – La Mandragore – Les Travaux et les jours
Marilyn Nonken (piano)

1 CD Accord, AC205752
Tristan Murail: La Mandragore – Cloches d’adieu, et un sourire… – Jean-Marc Singier: Elans, saccades, et biais du flux – Gérard Pesson: Vexierbilder Rom – Dominique Troncin: Ciel ouvert – Jacques Lenot: Ciels (travercés) – Esquisse du Prélude 12 – Hugues Dufourt: An Schwager Kronos
Dominique My (piano)