François Couturier
Lontano
On Lontano, Anja Lechner (cello) and François Couturier (piano) expand the expressive horizons of the duo format, weaving a tapestry of original compositions, improvisations, and deeply personal interpretations. Recorded at Sendesaal Bremen and produced by Manfred Eicher, the album draws inspiration from a remarkable array of sources-echoes of Bach, the folk laments of Argentina, the lyricism of Henri Dutilleux, the cinematic touch of Anouar Brahem, and the haunting minimalism of Giya Kancheli.
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Preludes And Songs
Pianist François Couturier and violinist Dominique Pifarély, major figures in French improvisation, have played together in many projects over the last 30 years, including their duo, which made its recording debut for ECM with the remarkable Poros in 1997. Preludes and Songs, carries the story forward, with its programme including music by both players as well as pieces by Jacques Brel, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and J.J. Johnson. With sensibilities informed by jazz and contemporary composi…
Moderato cantabile
Cellist Anja Lechner and pianist François Couturier play their own arrangements of Gurdjieff, Komitas and Mompou plus three Couturier pieces, recorded in November 2013 at the Auditorio RSI in Lugano and produced by Manfred Eicher.
Nuit blanche
Third album by François Couturier's Tarkovsky Quartet with Anja Lechner (cello), Jean-Marc Larché (soprano sax) and Jean-Louis Matinier (accordion): compositions, improvisations, Vivaldi and an anonymous piece. Recorded April 2016 in Lugano; produced by Manfred Eicher.
Il Pergolese
Songs and improvisations on Pergolesi's Stabat Mater and opera arias, sung in Neapolitan by Maria Pia De Vito with François Couturier (piano), Anja Lechner (cello) and Michele Rabbia (percussion, electronics). Recorded December 2012 in Lugano, produced by Manfred Eicher.
Tarkovsky Quartet
Third Tarkovsky-inspired album by pianist François Couturier, with Anja Lechner (cello), Jean-Louis Matinier (accordion) and Jean-Marc Larché (soprano saxophone): nine compositions and three group improvisations. Recorded December 2009, Auditorio RSI, Lugano; released 2011.
Poros
Duo album by violinist Dominique Pifarély and pianist François Couturier: nine pieces, mostly their own plus Mal Waldron's Warm Canto, recorded April 1997 at the Festeburgkirche, Frankfurt, produced by Manfred Eicher.