Search - Paul Sauvanet :: Tristesse

The most disturbing music ever composed!

Patrick W. Crabtree | Lucasville, OH USA | 02/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Any time one encounters an "only," something unique, Kudos must surely follow. And Paul Sauvanet's masterpiece, "Tristesse," is definitely an ONLY.



I first encountered this music a couple of years back while listening to the long-running (since 1973) "Hearts of Space," a National Public Radio program which plays unique, contemplative, atmospheric works, usually airing once weekly, produced and hosted by Stephen Hill. This CD surely must have leaped to the top of Hill's playlist the moment he first heard it. This composition for organ is fitted to Hill's obscure genre like a doeskin glove.



Here, we have contemporary classical music starkly punctuated with a medieval dark Catholic slant. J.S. Bach's "Tocatta and Fugue in D minor" sounds positively joyful when held up to the airy moanings of "Tristesse". When contrasted against your typical Peruvian funeral dirge, "Tristesse" (which means "sadness') probes much more deeply into the darkest regions of the human mind. I would strongly advise against playing this CD for any person suffering from depression -- they'll likely be pushed over the edge!



In any case, this music is profoundly contemplative and superbly well-done. And while the cover is about as visually disturbing as they come, I still give the package my highest recommendation, especially to veteran listeners to Classical Music."